School Lunch Prices To Increase In Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH, NH — The prices of school lunch are increasing this school year in all Portsmouth schools. The 15-cent increase will apply for all school lunches across the board. Breakfast prices will not be affected.

School District Business Administrator Steve Bartlett said the increase comes as a result of federal requirements — districts are required to regularly evaluate their meal prices, to ensure that the prices the schools are charging are in line with the amount the federal government reimburses for free or reduced school meals. Although the Portsmouth School District has been able to avoid increasing school meal prices for the past few years, this year the costs for lunch had to go up, he told the School Board on July 9.

"Things keep getting tighter," said Bartlett.

Starting this school year, all lunch prices at Portsmouth schools will go up by 15 cents. Lunch will cost $2.75 at Portsmouth elementary schools, $3.25 at the Portsmouth Middle School and $3.50 at Portsmouth High School.

Some students may qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. Those eligible for reduced school meals will be able to get free breakfast at the schools, and lunch would cost 40 cents.

This summer, Portsmouth is also offering a summer meals program to all Portsmouth students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The meals are offered in the New Franklin School cafeteria Monday through Thursday, through Aug. 15. Breakfast is being served at 9 a.m. and lunch is served at noon. Meals cost $1.50 for breakfast and $2.75 for lunch. Students will be able to keep the same free or reduced lunch eligibility as they had during the previous school year. The school is located at 1 Franklin Ave., Portsmouth.