ROCKVILLE, MD — For the first time in over a decade, families in Maryland’s largest school district may soon see a change in their daily expenses. The Montgomery County Board of Education is currently weighing a proposal that would increase the price of school breakfasts and lunches for the first time in 12 years.
The proposal, which was a central focus of a school board work session last week, has ignited a debate between the need for fiscal responsibility and the reality of a harsh economic climate for local families.
The “Why” Behind the Price Hike
According to Elizabeth Leach, the Director of Food and Nutrition Services for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), the district is at a breaking point. While MCPS serves a staggering 18 million meals annually, the department has been operating at a consistent loss.
The culprits are familiar to anyone who has visited a grocery store recently: skyrocketing food costs and rising labor expenses. “To make sure that we can continue providing high-quality meals to MCPS students, we need to make sure the revenue we’re bringing in to support those meals covers our expenses,” Leach told the board.
Board Members and Parents Voice Concerns
Despite the financial data, the emotional and practical weight of the decision is not lost on board leadership. Board President Grace Rivera-Oven expressed deep hesitation about the timing of the message.
“To raise prices on food and to send that message holistically as a board, I just, I’m having a really hard time with it,” Rivera-Oven said during the session.
Local parents are also questioning the move. Adam Zimmerman, a father of two MCPS students, echoed the sentiments of many in the Rockville and Silver Spring areas. “I think, throughout the county, the reaction to this is going to be why and why now,” he noted, citing the general inflation hitting Maryland households.
Who Will Be Impacted?
One of the primary concerns for the board is how this will affect the “missing middle”—families who do not qualify for the federal Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMS) program but are still struggling to keep up with the high cost of living in Montgomery County.
Currently, a significant portion of the MCPS student body relies on subsidized meals. However, for those paying full price, a hike could add hundreds of dollars to a family’s annual expenses, especially for those with multiple children in the system.
The Path Forward
If the board moves forward, the revenue generated would be used to stabilize the Food and Nutrition Services fund, ensuring that the quality and nutritional value of the meals do not decline. The board is expected to review further data regarding the exact dollar amount of the increase before a final vote is cast.
For now, the proposal remains a point of contention as the district tries to balance its books without placing an undue burden on the community it serves.
We want to hear from you, Montgomery County! * Do you think a price hike is inevitable after 12 years of no changes?
- Are you worried about how this will affect your monthly budget?
- Should the county find the funds elsewhere to keep meals at the current price?
Drop a comment below and let your voice be heard before the next board meeting!
