San Angelo ISD Approves 25-Cent Increase in School Lunch Prices

SAN ANGELO, TX — The San Angelo Independent School District board of trustees unanimously approved a 25-cent increase in paid school lunch prices for the 2026-27 school year.

The board voted 5-0 Monday night to raise elementary paid lunches from $3 to $3.25 and secondary paid lunches from $3.25 to $3.50. Second breakfast prices will increase to $2.25. Adult lunches are currently priced at $5.25.

Child Nutrition Director Tiffani Hebert told trustees the adjustment follows completion of the annual USDA paid lunch equity tool requirement. 

That tool calculates the district’s weighted average paid lunch price, which is currently $3.08 — $1.08 below the USDA target of $4.16. Hebert noted the district has not raised meal prices since June 2023 while food costs have continued to climb.

“If we don’t increase it, we’re just going to continue to slide backwards,” she said at the meeting. 

The price increase affects only families who pay full price for meals. Hebert said that the adjustment does not alter free meals or the campuses on the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). It also does not impact reduced meal benefit prices, which remain at the federally capped rate of 40 cents. However, she said the state will continue to cover that 40-cent charge for the 2026-27 school year, making reduced-price lunches technically free for families.

The district’s self-sustaining child nutrition program also lost more than $800,000 in federal grants last year. The newly approved dairy bid alone, which was approved in the consent agenda, will add nearly $184,000 in costs next year.

According to the board agenda report submitted by Hebert, the increase is needed “to cover the cost increase to provide healthier meals to our students.” She said the additional revenue will support expanded fresh fruit and vegetable options on serving lines and new recipes such as homemade quesadillas and chicken spaghetti.

Roughly 58% of San Angelo ISD students currently qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Applications for meal benefits are accepted year-round.