LEXINGTON, Ky. — It may cost more for students to receive meals in Fayette County this school year. An increase in meal prices was proposed earlier this week in a school board meeting. 

What You Need To Know

  • There is a proposed increase in meal prices for FCPS

  • The increase would have a 65 cent increase for breakfast and 25 cent increase for lunches

  • The increase would not affect the 49 Community Eligibility Provision program schools with students who receive free meals

  • There are 18 schools in the school district who are not a part of the CEP program

Meal plans are typically discussed every few years, according to Michelle Coker, the Director of the Child Nutrition Department for Fayette County Public Schools. This year, Coker says they are looking to increase their prices.

“We raise our meal prices every three to four years. Breakfast has not increased since before or at least since 2011,” Coker said.

In a board meeting on Monday, Coker presented a proposed price increase for the school district, a 65 cent increase for breakfast and a 25 cent increase for lunch — bringing breakfast to $2, $2.75 for lunch at the elementary schools and $3 at middle and high schools. 

“We had to do a price increase for adults last January, so those would remain the same,” Coker said.

Coker said this increase will not affect the schools where students already receive free meals. Those 49 schools are a part of the Community Eligibility Provision program. The program is for schools that have a certain percentage of families who qualify for federal assistance. 

“Each year, we gain more schools into the CEP program. Those sites that are CEP, all students regardless of income do have availability for free breakfasts and lunches,” Coker said.

Coker says 18 schools in the district are not a part of the CEP programs. Those schools are the ones who would see the increase if the proposal gets approved. 

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