Cloudy with a Chance of Over-Priced School Lunches

By J Jones

The new school year welcomes a list of new challenges, crazes and even controversy here at Hopkinton High School. Any student attending the school is aware of the ongoing increases in prices of the school lunches throughout the years, but is the new three dollars per meal pushing the envelope a little too much?

Many students seem to think just that. When asked about how they felt about the issue the majority of enthused learners replied with, “it’s stupid”, “it sucks”, “it’s awful, I hate it”, and “[the prices] should go down.” Sam McManus, a senior this year, raged, “The prices right now are ridiculous. That’s why I don’t buy school lunch.” Other school attendees took a more understanding approach like sophomore, Josh Walker, “I think it’s ridiculous, but I understand because of tax cuts."

Despite all the annoyance, Walker was right in blaming funds. According to the head of the lunch program, Tracy Barker, the cafeteria conquerors’ duties go without any funds from the school. The only way to acquire revenue for them is to make money, for the finances come from the profits made. These profits are supposed to also cover the wages given to the hard-working lunch ladies. On top of all this, federal regulations have made stricter requirements and mandates to comply with for meals offered by the school consisting of more expensive veggies and whole grains.

Rather than be upset about the new prices students perhaps should look deeper into the situation, because with everything said, it is a wonder the prices are not even higher!