By Joanne ClarK
(Source: CNW)
Broward County Public Schools will increase lunch prices by $1 next school year as the district looks for ways to address a $90 million budget shortfall and strengthen its financial reserves.
Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, elementary school lunches will increase from $3 to $4, while middle school lunches will cost $4.35 and high school lunches will rise to $4.50.
The increase marks a significant change from 2012, when school lunch prices in Broward County Public Schools were no more than $2.
District officials said declining enrollment has contributed to shrinking revenues and increased financial pressure. Despite efforts to reduce spending, the district had to use reserve funds to cover $720,433 in unpaid student meal debt for the 2025-26 school year.
The recommendation to increase meal prices came from the district’s financial review process. The School Board approved the price increase on June 23.
Reduced-price meals will remain 40 cents for eligible students. Some families will need to submit an application to qualify, while students attending schools in low-income areas will continue receiving free meals without an application through the federal Community Eligibility Provision program.
Federal reimbursements to the district vary depending on students’ eligibility status. When families do not submit applications for free or reduced-price meals, the district receives a lower reimbursement of 55 cents per meal, compared with $4.31 for free meals and $4.71 for reduced-price meals.
The district provided free lunch to all students after the COVID-19 pandemic using federal relief funding, but that funding has since ended.
Breakfast will remain free for all students next school year.
Families with students attending Broward County Public Schools will be able to complete meal benefit applications and income surveys beginning Monday, July 13, 2026.
Students attending one of the district’s 80 non-Community Eligibility Provision schools will need to complete an online meal application to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. Families at the district’s 141 CEP schools will not need to apply for free lunch but will be asked to complete an income survey to help determine eligibility for other district programs.
A recent annual survey by the School Nutrition Association found that nearly 95% of respondents reported moderate or serious concerns about the financial sustainability of their school nutrition programs over the next three years.
