Bibb Elementary Students Will Have to Pay More for Lunches

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Elementary students in Bibb County will soon have to pay more for their lunches for the first time in 16 years.

The Bibb County Board of Education voted Thursday night to approve a 10-cent increase, raising the price from $0.90 to $1.00.

The increase is required by law, which essentially says when the average lunch price is less than the difference between the free and paid lunches, the school food authority must determine how they will meet the requirement.

That means either increasing the lunch price or providing funds from non-Federal sources.

“Even a dollar is a good value for what we give students,” says Bibb Schools’ nutrition director, Dr. Cleta Long.  “We’re providing very healthy lunches–lots of fresh fruits and vegetables–with the new meal pattern.  We invite parents to come out and eat lunch.  I think they’ll see that it is a bargain.”

Dr. Long tells 41NBC around 78% of Bibb County students receive free or reduced lunches.

Since the middle and high school lunches were at the required rate of at least $1.00, no changes were required in their lunch prices.

The school board tells us it must discuss logistics of the price change before the increase goes into effect.