New cafeteria prices will reflect what's actually on the lunch tray

NORTH CANAAN — Changes to the financially troubled North Canaan Elementary School lunch program have been approved by the school board as recommended.

The cafeteria committee had delved deep into the issues at a prior meeting. School staff, parents, cafeteria workers and board members serving on the committee discussed what has long been a problem: a hot lunch program struggling to be self-sufficient.

The problem is to balance good nutrition with meals children will buy and eat.

With the school subscribing to wellness initiatives and with the rising cost of food, things have gotten worse. It now costs about $2.40 to produce a lunch for which students pay $2. The program now requires a tax subsidy, with a $14,500 line item added to the 2008-09 budget.

The committee’s solution includes students paying more accurately for what they eat. Instead of being allowed unlimited menu choices for their $2, they will get a hot lunch or soup and sandwich, and salad bar with either.

The committee reasoned that either entrée choice provides an adequate meal for most students.

Older students with bigger appetites are welcome to buy extra food a la carte.

The school will also bring back more snack items. Their high profit margin and sales levels have carried the program in past years.

Adult lunches were recommended to be raised from the current $3.