The Impact of the Child Nutrition Program Reauthorization Lansing Central School Lunch Program 1

Healthy Hunger-Free Act of 2010 Equity in School Lunch Pricing Equity in School Lunch PricingConcern: Federal funds intended for free and reduced price lunches are being used to help fill in the gap between what a paid lunch costs and what the school receives for it. Federal funds intended for free and reduced price lunches are being used to help fill in the gap between what a paid lunch costs and what the school receives for it.Action: Section 205: Effective July 1, 2011, schools are required to charge students for paid meals at a price that is on average equal to the difference between free meal reimbursement and paid meal reimbursement. Section 205: Effective July 1, 2011, schools are required to charge students for paid meals at a price that is on average equal to the difference between free meal reimbursement and paid meal reimbursement. 2

Who will be affected by the new provision ? SFAs who charged less than $2.51 for paid lunches in the school year are required to adjust their weighted average lunch price or add non-Federal funds to the non-profit school food service account. $2.51 is the difference between the Free and Paid reimbursement rates. SFAs who charged less than $2.51 for paid lunches in the school year are required to adjust their weighted average lunch price or add non-Federal funds to the non-profit school food service account. $2.51 is the difference between the Free and Paid reimbursement rates. Schools are to use the Paid Lunch Equity Tool to determine the pricing requirements. Required lunch increases are not to exceed 10 cents. However, schools can choose to increase more than 10 cents. Schools are to use the Paid Lunch Equity Tool to determine the pricing requirements. Required lunch increases are not to exceed 10 cents. However, schools can choose to increase more than 10 cents. 3

Lansing’s Current Lunch Prices Elementary School $2.05 Middle School $2.30 High School $2.30 Schools must annually review their paid lunch revenue to assure compliance with the lunch equity requirement. The amount of the per meal increase for school year will be calculated using 2 percent plus inflation factor of 2.18 percent for a total of 4.18 percent. Schools must annually review their paid lunch revenue to assure compliance with the lunch equity requirement. The amount of the per meal increase for school year will be calculated using 2 percent plus inflation factor of 2.18 percent for a total of 4.18 percent. 4

Recommended lunch price increase of $.10 for school year Set the required amount of $.10 to limit the impact on families who pay full price. Set the required amount of $.10 to limit the impact on families who pay full price. 180 days lunch times $.10 will be $18.00 additional cost per full price student this year. 180 days lunch times $.10 will be $18.00 additional cost per full price student this year. Current PriceRecommended Price Current PriceRecommended Price Elem. $2.05 x 180 = $369. Elem. $2.15 x 180 = $387. MS/HS $2.30 x 180 = $414. MS/HS $2.40 x 180 = $432. 5

Area School Lunch Prices (7/20/12) increase Dryden Elem. $2.10Proposed increase of $.05$2.15 MS/HS $2.35 $2.40 Lansing Elem. $2.05Proposed increase of $.10$2.15 MS/HS $2.30$2.40 Ithaca Elem. $2.30Proposed increase of $.20$2.50 Middle $2.55$2.75 High $2.80$3.00

Area School Lunch Prices (7/20/12) Continued increase Groton Elem. $1.80 Increase of $.05$1.85 MS/HS $2.05$2.10 Trumansburg K-4 $2.25 Proposed increase of $.10$ $2.50$2.60 Candor Elem. $1.90Proposed increase of $.10$2.00 HS $2.05$2.15

Time constraints on setting pricing Must be in compliance for the school year by increasing lunch prices the minimum $.10. Must be in compliance for the school year by increasing lunch prices the minimum $.10. Prices of what the district charges for paid breakfast and lunch must be on the parent letter that is attached to the free and reduced lunch form. A deadline of August 15 th for printing. Prices of what the district charges for paid breakfast and lunch must be on the parent letter that is attached to the free and reduced lunch form. A deadline of August 15 th for printing. 8

Communication Prepare cafeteria information letter educating families about the cafeteria procedures and changes. Prepare cafeteria information letter educating families about the cafeteria procedures and changes. Educate the parents on the new lunch mandates and reasoning behind lunch price increases with a mailing. Educate the parents on the new lunch mandates and reasoning behind lunch price increases with a mailing. Free and reduced forms must be mailed before school starts (Approximately August 22 nd ). Free and reduced forms must be mailed before school starts (Approximately August 22 nd ). 9

Summary Recommendation Increase Lunch prices by $.10 in all buildings. Increase Lunch prices by $.10 in all buildings. Communicate changes to all families before the start of the school year. Communicate changes to all families before the start of the school year. Prepare for annual meal price increases until we meet Federal Lunch Equity mandate. Prepare for annual meal price increases until we meet Federal Lunch Equity mandate. 10

Advantages Compliance with Section 205 of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of Compliance with Section 205 of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of Helps cover increasing food costs associated with new healthy fruit and vegetable mandates. Helps cover increasing food costs associated with new healthy fruit and vegetable mandates. Required increase of $.10 respects difficult economic times for families. Required increase of $.10 respects difficult economic times for families. 11

Disadvantages Increased cost to families. Increased cost to families. Increase every year until mandate requirements are met. Increase every year until mandate requirements are met. 12

Needs Timeline August 13: Board of Education approval of price increase August 13: Board of Education approval of price increase August 22 – Sept. 5: Communication with families August 22 – Sept. 5: Communication with families August 22 – Sept. 8: Nutrikids Software August 22 – Sept. 8: Nutrikids Software September 5: Implement changes September 5: Implement changes 13

Questions? 14