School lunch prices set to jump in Pinellas, Pasco county schools

Spectrum News | By Jason Lanning | May 8, 2025

TAMPA, Fla. — Two school districts in the Bay area are set to raise school lunch prices as a result of inflation and the impending impacts of tariffs.

Pasco and Pinellas school districts are set to increase school lunch prices.

Pasco County Schools voted to increase school lunches by 5 percent at a meeting earlier this week. The cost of a school lunch will increase by 10 to 15 cents as a result.

Pasco Schools said students that can’t afford school lunches can apply for a free meal plan, if they are not already enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP or Head Start.

“Other families can apply for the free and reduced meal application,” said Pasco School Director of Food and Nutrition Services Stephanie Spinal. “And that’s based on the federal poverty guidelines and goes through the USDA, and they can then be set to get free and reduced meal prices.”

Pinellas County Schools is also increasing its school lunch prices for the school year beginning this fall.

The price for an elementary school meal will increase by 50 cents to $2.75. The price of a middle school meal will increase by 40 cents to $3.15. And the price of a high school meal will increase by $1 to $4.50.

Hernando, Citrus and Polk County schools are all enrolled in the USDA’s Community Eligibility Program and students don’t have to pay for school lunches.

Hillsborough County Schools said it will not be raising school lunch prices for the current school year, or next school year.