JCSD1 Board Approves Meal Cost Increases

At their regular board meeting Monday night, the Board of Trustees for the Johnson County School District discussed and eventually approved increases in the cost of meals provided by the district for the coming year.

According to discussions the district has seen an increase in the cost of food of 17% in fiscal year 2023 but has leveled out, according to information from the district’s Nutrition Department.

The Nutrition Department said the regional sales rep for Sysco Montana reported there may be an additional increase of up to an additional is 8.5% to 10% in the district’s food costs.

In response, Nutritionist Ricci Sanders recommended increasing the cost of breakfasts for K-12 students from $1.50 to $1.60 and adult breakfasts from $1.75 to $2.00 for each meal.

She also recommended increasing lunch prices from $2.75 to $3 for K-5; from $3 to $3.50 for 6-8; from $3.25 to $3.50 for 9-12 and adult lunches from $4 to $4.30 per meal.

According to discussions, the district had not increased the cost of meals in five years.