Adult meal prices going up in Fayette County schools

Starting in January, Fayette County schools will be charging slightly more for adult and visitor meals in their cafeterias.

Because the School Nutrition Program only reimburses schools for students’ meals, other meals must by law be priced to cover the full cost of providing them. After an analysis of current costs and pricing, the Fayette County Board of Education voted 5-0 on Nov. 18 to increase the cost of adult breakfast meals by 25 cents to $2.50, and raise lunch prices by 50 cents to $4.25.

Chief Financial Officer Tom Gray explained that the increase is related to higher food costs as well as the salary raises for school nutrition workers, and said the system will try to avoid raising prices again in 2021. Adult meals constitute approximately 4 percent of all meals served.