Thus far, the rising cost of just about everything probably hasn’t impacted the typical high school student too much. Sure, it’s a bit pricier to fill up that clunker of a car you drive, but you can just ask for a few bucks from the friends you cavort with to offset the cost. Or maybe you can just hang out at home a bit more. Starting in the fall, however, students might end up brown bagging it a lot more often, if parents have any say in the matter. School lunch prices are going up, and no one is happy about it.
It all has to do with the rising cost of gas, used to bring the food to the schools, and the poor state of the economy— inflation is almost twice the normal 2 percent. And for staples like milk and bread, it’s even worse. Schools nationwide saw a 12 percent increase in milk prices and a ludicrous 17 percent for bread.
Making things worse, the federal subsidy, which helps school districts pay for their lunch programs, hasn’t kept up with rising costs. What does this all mean? Students and parents must shell out more dough to be able to eat. Some districts in Florida are charging 50 percent more for breakfast and 35 percent more for lunch. And they will still end up losing money. Ouch.
So what can be done? At this point, be prepared for Mom or Dad to hand you a lunch bag in the morning with a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich inside. With a loaf of bread at the supermarket costing less than four dollars, and being enough for a week’s worth of sandwiches, bringing food from home is a far more cost-effective solution. Don’t argue too much, though, or you might just have to buy your own lunch. And then you’ll really feel the cost of inflation.
Are you willing to bring lunch in order to save your parents a few bucks?
Photo credit: www.wrc.pdx.edu
I’m no longer in high school. But I would prefer packing a lunch. In fact, I pack a lunch every morning for work, or for class. Packing a lunch doesn’t necessarily giving up quality, or settling for undesirable foods. Actually, packing a lunch can mean eating better than everyone else around you.
How about fresh tuna salad with herbs–use canned tuna, with light mayo, and fresh/dried herbs, diced pickles and onions. Or if you want to be able to speak to people after lunch, chop leftover chicken and mix wth mayo and a handful of walnuts and cranberries. Depending on what’s in your parent’s fridge, or what you had for dinner last night, you can make a wonderful, nutritious lunch.
[1] Posted by: Insert_noun | June 9th, 2008 at 3:03 pmI think that I would definitely bring a packed lunch to school more often, the lunch is crazy almost $5 at my high school!! our bottled water is even expensive at $2.25!!!! I’m going to go crazy if they get any higher.
[2] Posted by: bedfordbella14 | June 9th, 2008 at 8:20 pmI bring lunch most of the time anyway - it’s healthier, and usually better.
[3] Posted by: muggle303 | June 9th, 2008 at 8:33 pmwhat?? lunch costs 1.55 at our school. Sure, it’s not fine cuisine, but it’s much more cost effective than packing a healthy lunch from home, considering what fruit costs.
[4] Posted by: runeatsleeprun | June 12th, 2008 at 12:05 pmI’m with Runeatsleeprun the lunch at my school is not to high, but I would still prefer to pack my own lunch because you get a better quality lunch.
[5] Posted by: sarah_glenn | June 16th, 2008 at 8:42 pmi’m just now going to start high school, but my middle school prices were actually pretty pricey this past year; 2.00$ a tray.and to think that we just get a little carton of milk.anyway,i was never fond of packing my luch throughout my school career,but if this is what it takes to get a little misery out of my parents economic life,then i guess it’s alright. PP&J here i come!
[6] Posted by: tam8946 | June 27th, 2008 at 9:18 pmit wouldnt hurt to pack a lunch to the truth i dont eat much in school.i am even scared to go into the cafe it is so terrible the prices of food is $10-12 well the only thing good about it is that ya getting your moneys worth but anyway i will pack a lunch to save my parents a few change.
[7] Posted by: maddyfine | July 14th, 2008 at 9:39 amI useually go half and half. Ill bring my lunch to school for the first half of the year and then the last half of the year ill buy my lunch. Last year our lunch was $1.25. But this year i might not be too lazy. Anyways the lines are really long at lunch so if your last you may only get 2-5 mins. to eat.
[8] Posted by: Pretenders | July 16th, 2008 at 4:02 pmOur school lunches are $2.50 currently, and while there is a good amount of food for the price, the edibility of it is in question. It is disgusting, though so many people buy lunch at school that by the second lunch period there is usually not enough food for everyone. I have always packed my lunch and will continue to.
[9] Posted by: labthelabrador | July 19th, 2008 at 4:15 pmI attend a Junior Senior High school and lunch is 2$.Its not over priced but it is gross.sometimes they use the leftover food the next day for lunch.and alot of there food is expired.I prefer bringing lunch because the lunchs i make taste better and are better for you.But every once in a while i buy lunch because it is convenient.
[10] Posted by: brookesawesome8 | July 20th, 2008 at 4:29 pmI’m in favor of packing lunches. More than half the lunches at school are all fried and salted. Besides, a packed lunch is more filling.
[11] Posted by: graceleee | July 22nd, 2008 at 6:41 pmI am in my second year of highschool, and even before then i thought most cafeteria food was just nasty!!!!!!
[12] Posted by: Afflack93 | July 23rd, 2008 at 11:08 amEven though i still bought it.
The food is relativily un-healthy. Many occasions my freinds have gotten pizza and the dough isn’t all the way cooked, and the pizza is so ridiculosly greesy that it’s un-real!
I bought lunch all of freshman year but i really plan to pack my lunch this year.
Because im a health nut, and two im not the richest kid in the world..and at my school for 2.75$ all u got was a hamburger and an almost expired milk and fruits and veggies that were anything less than Fresh!
I will definately be taking a lunch most of the year. Really, who wants to spend all their money on (crappy) lunches when you could use that money to go out with your friends or to buy something you’ve really been wanting. Come on kids, it’s not that hard to understand
[13] Posted by: meagan_75 | July 24th, 2008 at 12:05 pmi prepare my lunch and take it to school quite often. it’s not necessarily cheaper, just yummier. the food on campus is really just a lunch truck and vending machines.
[14] Posted by: konflictualism | July 26th, 2008 at 4:45 amYEA, I DONT MIND. I ALREADY WAS TAKIN UNCRUSTABLES AND CARI SUN AND THE GETTING A POP TAT FROM OUT OF THE VENDING MACHINE. SO, IM COOL WIT THE WHOLE THING. BUT I FEEL BAD FOR KIDS WHOSE SCHOOL LUNCH AND BREAKFAST ARE A LL THE FOOD THEY HAVE TO EAT IN A DAY.
[15] Posted by: sexychalupa137 | August 3rd, 2008 at 5:52 pmThe prices of my schools food went up a few times during the year and we all hate it! The only thing I’m willing to spend my money on is bread for a quarter. I usually just bring lunch which works for me except when my bag is packed and i don’t have room for a lunch box. I’m a recycle person so i don’t do brown bags, and bringing my lunch is just annoying. Of course i am not spending six dollars for a plastic hot dog!
[16] Posted by: call_me_chuck | August 7th, 2008 at 9:44 pmLunch at my school is very expensive because it’s a la cart. there is no lunch
[17] Posted by: ErElKi | August 24th, 2008 at 9:05 pmMy school lunched cost 2.25 i already prepaid 100 dollars into my electronic account for lunch. If the prices go up i will spend the rest of the money and start packing luch after i run out.
[18] Posted by: Renegade0816 | August 27th, 2008 at 8:06 pm