FCPS considering student meal price increase

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Some students at Fayette County Public Schools will have to pay for meals again this year and the price may be going up.

All students in the district ate for free the past two years because of the pandemic, but that’s changing in August.

“We actually have 49 schools where lunch and breakfast are free for all of the students who attend there regardless of their family income,” FCPS spokesperson Lisa Deffendall said.

Deffendall said these 49 schools qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision program based on the percentage of families that qualify for federal assistance. But there are now 18 schools where some students will pay for lunch. You can find a full list of the schools below.

“Under the federal lunch program, we are required to charge a certain percentage of the federal reimbursement rate. And because we have not raised our prices in seven years, we’ve reached that point where we need to do a slight price increase,” Deffendall said.

Students at the 18 schools can still get free meals based on family income. But for students who do have to pay, the price may be going up, as well. The school board is considering a proposal to increase breakfast by 65 cents and lunch by 25 cents.

“We’ve invested in full time nurses. We’ve invested in mental health support. And making sure our students have a healthy meal for breakfast and lunch is just a part of that,” Deffendall said.

The board is expected to vote on the increase next month.

This is the district’s first proposed increase since the 2016-2017 school year.

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