Inflation…it was the political hot potato of the last elections. It has hit us all since the pandemic and has entered nearly every single aspect of our lives in some capacity. Note that I said “nearly all” however; some places have been safe havens, protected (mostly inorganically) from price increases.
One of those safe havens were Scottsdale’s schools…until now.
In response to surging food and labor expenses, Scottsdale Unified School District has announced substantial increases in meal prices, with some lunches rising by as much as 66%
While exact dollar amounts vary, the district explained this adjustment is essential to maintaining current nutrition standards without compromising quality or service. District leaders emphasized that meal programs don’t generate profit, they operate on tight budgets, so these rate increases are necessary to prevent deficits that could otherwise impact students.
The price adjustments will affect different school levels differently. Elementary, middle, and high school meals may see varied increases based on baseline costs and supplier agreements. Despite the hike, the district continues to provide free or reduced-price lunches for eligible families under federal guidelines, and those provisions remain untouched.
SUSD says that it plans to closely monitor program finances to ensure meals remain affordable and nutritious. With rose-colored glasses on, you could say that announcement also signals the district’s commitment to fiscal responsibility: covering rising costs while striving to maintain high standards and equitable access for all students. But is that really the case, or is it a matter of poor sourcing and cost management?
Considering that this is the first increase since the 2017-2018 school year, we can easily check and see the overall impact of inflation since then. $100 in 2017 would be equal to $131 in today’s money, implying 31% cumulative inflation over that time. Utilizing a food price inflation calculator, that rate is slightly higher: 34%. So while the lower end of the price changes imply a good deal, it doesn’t come near the highest increase of 66%.
While we believe that SUSD is acting in good faith, this price increase does seem a bit excessive. Perhaps more frequent increases would help buffer that shock. In the meantime, perhaps we can take solace in having gotten a bit of a free ride for the last eight years.