Lately, price inflation has increased across a variety of consumer goods, including gasoline, apparel, books, airplane tickets, and food. Now, this same trend is hitting MCPS cafeterias. On May 21, 2026, the Montgomery County Board of Education unanimously voted to approve an increase in school meal prices by 30 cents, marking the first time families will see a price increase in more than a decade. This price increase will take effect in the 2026–27 school year, starting from which school breakfast will rise from $1.30 to $1.60, elementary school lunch from $2.55 to $2.85, and middle and high school lunch from $2.80 to $3.10. However, this policy will not impact students who qualify for the free and reduced-price meals (FARMS).
This local change directly reflects the macroeconomic situation. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the average change over time in prices paid by consumers, accelerated to an annual rate of 3.8%. Driven largely by persistent energy costs and global supply chain pressures, everyday expenses have steadily climbed, with overall food prices up 3.2% over the past 12 months.
Students have also addressed this nation-wide trend. “I think that this change does not necessarily indicate greed on the part of MCPS, I feel like they might truly be raising prices out of necessity,” junior Bennett Parisi said. “Rather, this reflects the consequences of inflation in America’s current economy and demonstrates the lack of funding for public schools nationwide. Today, even in MCPS, which has historically been one of the most well-funded and strongest education systems in the country, lunch prices are not stable.”
Similarly, junior Jerry Chen said, “I think it makes sense that lunch prices will rise. Although it is not ideal, there is not really anything that we can do about it due to the inflation.”
The adjustment, according to school officials, is due to rising operational costs. While MCPS meal prices for families have remained unchanged since 2015, food and labor expenses have considerably increased, and revenues have not kept up with the expenses. For years, the district relied on temporary federal pandemic relief funds, back when “lunches were free for all students due to a federal grant,” Parisi recalls. But as those funds are being used up, the program has been operating at a deficit.
For students and families worried about affordability, the district has emphasized that key safety nets will remain strictly in place. School leadership acknowledged that while the change is meaningful for household budgets, the phased rollout is necessary to preserve the quality of cafeteria food, prevent severe staffing cutbacks, and protect the long-term stability of the school nutrition program. The district plans to send out advanced communications prior to the next school year so that families can plan in advance.
When asked about the impacts of this new policy on students’ future plans of buying school lunch, many noted that it will not notably change their plans. “This change likely will not really impact me too much. I am very fortunate to come from a financially well off household, so this price increase won’t change my ability to afford lunch,” Parisi said. “It might justify eating out more and cause me to avoid buying school lunch as much, but it won’t really harm me in any other way.”
Similarly, Chen said, “I don’t think it will impact my habits, mainly because school lunch is already a way cheaper option than any other stores nearby, but the increase in price is lamentable.”
