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Lunchroom Prices on the Rise in Schools Across Iowa

By KCRG Intern

Story Created: Aug 19, 2008 at 9:12 AM CST

Story Updated: Aug 19, 2008 at 9:12 AM CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The price of school lunches is going up across Iowa as food and fuel costs continue to rise.

While administrators say they'll look for ways to cut expenses and reduce waste, they expect no breaks and expect prices will go up again before the end of the school year.

The Des Moines school district, which is the state's largest, has seen an increase of 65 cents to $2.25 for elementary students. It's the first increase in six years.

The School Nutrition Association is a national nonprofit group that represents school nutrition workers. It says lunch prices are up an average of 16 percent over last year in 150 school districts.

The Iowa Department of Education says it will be October before it knows how many districts raised lunch prices for the fall.

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