Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs
Starting August 2016, school lunch prices at all Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools outside the continental United States (with the exception of Guam) will increase because of rising operational costs and to comply with federal law.
“Wholesome, balanced meals are vital to the academic achievement of school-age children,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Sean Applegate, Exchange senior enlisted advisor. “It’s important for us to keep offering these nutritious meals and, in order to do so and to keep pace with the increasing food and operational costs, the school meal prices will increase for the first time in more than four years.”
The new increase is $0.10 per full price for elementary students’ meals, making their new prices $2.50 and a $0.20 increase for secondary students, making their meals $2.75 for the 2016 – 2017 school year. The last price increase was $0.35 per meal in 2012. Families qualifying for the Free and Reduced Meal Program will not have an increase in the cost of their meals. Per federal guidelines, the cost of a reduced-price meal will remain $0.40 per meal.
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (Public Law 111-296) requires DoDEA schools, as participants in the USDA meal program, to raise paid student lunch prices to a level comparable to the rates used for USDA reimbursement. To meet this requirement, prices in the OCONUS schools will be gradually increased over the coming years.
As the designated School Food Authority, theArmy & Air Force Exchange Service provides schools meals on a nonprofit, break-even basis, for the DoD School Meal Programs (SMPs). The SMP meets the same USDA guidelines as schools in the continental United States by providing meals that have the required nutrients for children.
For more information on the School Meal Program, visit http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/school-lunch-program.
