Adjusted pricing starting Jan. 6 will be:
- $5.75 meal / $5.25 GNG for secondary students
- $7.25 meal / $6.50 GNG for staff
- $5.00 meal for primary students (no change)
Learn more
While we anticipated some rising costs this year, new constraints have been placed upon the program in the past few months. A federal regulation went into effect this school year, limiting public schools from purchasing more than 10% of food purchases from outside the United States. This affects produce like tomatoes, onions, avocados, etc., which are typically sourced from Mexico for our area. In addition, while Meridian was awarded $135,000 in food grants over the past two years, which subsidized the cost of school lunches, there is not a grant this year.
“It truly saddens me that we've had to raise meal prices, and these decisions are never made lightly,” said Child Nutrition Director Kaylee Torres. “What keeps my team and me committed is knowing that every child deserves healthy, nourishing meals that help them grow and learn. Seeing students enjoy foods that fuel their day reminds me why this work matters. Their well-being is always at the heart of what we do.”
Find assistance
Meridian participates in the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program to provide our families in need of assistance with free and reduced meals. Learn more about free and reduced meals.
For questions about the program, please contact Kaylee Torres.