School nutrition programs face funding challenges as costs outpace federal reimbursements

DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – School nutrition programs are feeling the weight of the growing gap between federal reimbursements and how much it costs to provide students with a nutritious school lunch.

The National School Nutrition Association says 98% of its member school nutrition directors across the country reported food cost challenges. This, paired with labor and equipment hurdles, has school nutrition directors concerned about the sustainability of their food programs in the next three years.

The association is keeping an eye on certain things in the legislature, like the Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act, that would increase federal reimbursement rates for school lunches.

For Dothan City Schools, which provides free meals to students, cost increases don’t fall on families but rather the district itself, which could impact students in the long run.

“We are seeing a pinch in our budget. This past year, we did have a loss. Thankfully, we had a little cushion from previous years. But overall, we saw close to or slightly over a $300,000 loss in our operations,” said Tonya Grier, director of Dothan City Schools Child Nutrition Program. “When our budgets get pinched, what happens is that money then has to be pulled from other areas that are in the classroom. And so then everybody suffers.”

The School Nutrition Association is closely watching other legislation to address infrastructure and equipment upgrades, among other issues facing nutrition programs across the country.

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