Darien’s School Lunch Prices Going up in the Fall

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Darien Public Schools

Darien Public Schools

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School lunch prices in Darien public schools are going up by 20 cents (30 cents at Middlesex Middle School) in large part because of expected increased prices for food.

The Board of Education unanimously voted to increase the prices — to $3.55 for elementary school students, $3.75 for middle school students and $3.95 for high school students. (Teachers pay somewhat higher prices.)

Darien’s prices are already a bit higher than most school districts in lower Fairfield County, largely because the town doesn’t get federal school lunch aid, which is based on the percentage of low-income families in a school district.

Egg prices have surged after hens were slaughtered to prevent the spread of avian flu, and milk prices have risen as well, Finance and Operations Director Michael Feeney told the board at its regular meeting.

The price of milk sold a la carte in school cafeterias will go up from 60 cents to 75 cents.

About every two years, Darien Public Schools ups the price of lunches, Feeney said. The price has increased 20 cents the past two times and this one, he said.

As the table below shows, prices are different for students in elementary and middle schools and the high school. Deborah Bossie, director of food services for Darien Public Schools, said that’s because smaller helpings are served to younger, presumably smaller, students.

[table id=1 /]

Teachers, who are served larger helpings, pay a somewhat higher price: $3.75 in elementary and middle schools and $3.95 in the high school. District officials were not asked why high school teachers pay more (or whether they’re considered bigger than middle school and elementary school teachers).

[Editor’s note: Darienite.com did not notice the difference until long after the end of the meeting, expect additional reporting later.]

School lunch prices are also expected to go up in Weston, Westport, Ridgefield and Wilton, according to Darien district officials. Many towns in the area have management companies providing school lunches, but Darien Public Schools still runs its own operation.

The food served in Darien is mostly from scratch, and the full lunch includes milk and four other “points” to include other components of nutritional value — protein, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, according to a memorandum from Feeney dated June 15.

One new feature at Middlesex Middle School and Darien High School lunches next year: Salad bars.

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