It’s no secret that prices across the country have been skyrocketing due to inflation. Experts according to the website Bankrate say food prices have increased by a whopping 21.4%- a concerningly high number for most. While food prices have been increasing across grocery stores and restaurants, many students returning for the 2024-2025 school year were dissatisfied to learn that lunch a la carte prices are on the rise as well.
“I feel like it is bad. Just because the rest of the world is doing inflation doesn’t mean my school lunches have to,” said freshman Lia Fruci.
A 25-cent increase has been put on all of the items sold at a la carte; making them the highest they have ever been. Many find the changes unwarranted and unwanted and hope for an eventual price decrease.
“I think the prices were perfect last year,” said freshman Angelina Giovangelo. “A lot of people are struggling with money and don’t want to spend it on their snacks.”
Sharing an opinion akin to Giovangelo is freshman Gabriella Volpp.
“The money’s running out faster; you can put ten dollars in an account and it will be gone in a week,” Volpp stated.
Other students may not be feeling the burn in their own pockets, as their parents are the ones ultimately paying the bill.
“It’s not my money, but it does make it kind of bad for my parents because it’s their money,” said freshman Charlotte Murphy.
On the contrary, Terri Chisholm, head cashier of the cafeteria, finds the pricing ‘more than reasonable,’ and does not see an eventual price decrease in the near future. She hopes students understand the need for the increase.
“This is a business,” Chisholm explains. “We can’t sell it for the same price because we are losing money.”
