Meal prices for students in the Bethlehem Central School District will increase by 25 cents in January 2025. The change will be effective beginning Thursday, Jan. 2 at all BC schools. The increase affects paid student lunch meals only. Prices for breakfast and a la carte menu items will remain the same.

The price increases were approved by the Board of Education at its October 23 meeting. 

Food Services Director Claire Groudine said it is the first districtwide K-12 price increase in more than a decade. There has been no change to K-8 lunch prices since 2010. Meal prices increased by $0.25 for high school students in 2018, and by $0.25 for staff members in 2022. She said the January 2025 price increase is necessary to ensure quality, address the growing cost of food commodities, and maintain compliance with federal recommendations. 

Throughout the year, families are encouraged to review eligibility and apply for the federal free and reduced lunch program. Meals for students whose families meet the household eligibility criteria receive breakfast and lunch free of charge.

The new lunch prices, as of Jan. 2, 2025, will be as follows:

K-5

• New price $3.25 (current price $3.00)
• Free/reduced eligible: No charge

6-8

• New price $3.50 (current price $3.25)
• Free/reduced eligible: No charge

9-12

• New price $3.75 (current price $3.50)
• Free/reduced eligible: No charge

There is no change to the price of lunch meals for staff. The meal price for staff lunch is $5.00.

Groudine said meal prices will be reassessed for the 2025-26 school year. In addition to helping the school meals program cover its costs, the need for price adjustments are also reflective of increased meal quality in recent years, she said.

“The Food Services Department strives to use as much fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables as possible and to provide a variety of options throughout the week that are cooked from scratch,” said Groudine. “Our goal is to run a food services program that can sustain itself without compromising quality, nutrition and value for our customers.”