School Lunches

The district is leading the way toward a simpler, more efficient and no-fee system for parents to pay for school lunches and activities in one place.

A dual crisis is unfolding in school lunchrooms across Florida. Some districts raise prices to keep pace with higher costs, and thousands fewer kids are signed up for the help they need to get free meals.

Rising costs, the threat of tariffs, and federal funding cuts all loom large as districts finalize what price tag to put on school lunches.

During National School Breakfast Week, No Kid Hungry Florida is bringing together and recognizing school staff who provide free breakfasts and lunches to students.

Dr. David Berger discusses why kids and adults should steer clear of ultra-processed foods, reflects on why many school lunches are problematic and more.

Many schools are also adding more culturally relevant food options for the first time ever.

The board voted unanimously in support of the second price hike in four years, raising school lunch to $3.75 in middle and high school, and making breakfasts $2.25 across the board.

The price hike is the second in the past four years, due to what district officials say is a combination of fast-rising food prices and labor costs.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the new rules this week.

Three counties in the greater Tampa Bay region are increasing the cost of breakfast and lunch for students compared to the last time students paid for meals during the 2019-2020 school year.

Advocates say families in Florida and across the nation are already struggling with rising food costs, and if these waivers expire in June, things will only get harder.

School meals are the only meals some children get in a day. But during the pandemic, school feeding programs have been reaching fewer and fewer families.