Is $38 a month cheap for a child to eat lunch at school?

Question

Breakfasts at this school are 60 cents. I am just wondering what some of you parents out there pay for your kids to eat lunch at school, and in what state. I figured that it would be almost the same amount for me to make him lunches and take them from home (I previously thought it would be cheaper). We are in Arkansas.

The food they serve is wonderful. Not only is it balanced (4 groups) but there is quite a bit of food on the tray! In my opinion it is almost an adult portion.

Answer 1

Well, breakfast is free for students here but their lunch is about $1.76. I don't think $38 is cheap, it adds up. If you can't get them on the free or reduced lunch program, I would pack a lunch a few days out of the week. We live in Texas.

Answer 2

I pay $2 a day for lunch and a $1 a day for breakfast. That's $15 a week and $60 a month. So yes...I'd say $38 a month is cheap!

Answer 3

My child goes to Los Angeles Unified and lunch is $1.00. Breakfasts are subsidized but are only for children who come from low-income families.
I've sent my daughter with lunch money since she was in K. On the other hand, my ex sends her with a sack lunch every day she has her. My daughter prefers the cafeteria as she gets fresh fruit, fresh milk, and the "big girl" experience of paying for her own meal. She also gets to choose between the two entrees offered.
Me, I'm willing to spend $1 not to have one more chore in the morning.

Answer 4

My mom is a teacher at an elementary school in AL. She says the kids pay $2.00/lunch.

It is possible for lunch from home to be cheaper. Say a loaf of bread is $2...and consider how many sandwiches one loaf makes.... Most children, in my experience, are satisfied (hunger-wise anyway) with a sandwich, some fruit, and one other food item.

p.s. her school does not serve breakfast, so I can't help with that comparison.

Answer 5

I'm in Virginia and well balanced lunches here are $1.50 ,however I'm lucky in that sense for my son is a finicky eater and prefers to eat the lunches I pack except for Pizza Friday and maybe one other day if then. But even then I can't be assured of how much he eats vs. how much he throws away or even gives away, so I always make doubly sure he eats a good dinner

Answer 6

Oh MY! That is SUPER cheap!!!!! I lived in Germany for 3 years, My kids went to school on base. You think it would be competitive with In state schools. For a month for my child to eat at school on post was about 75.00 a MONTH!

Here where we are now (Tennessee) It costs around 40 dollars a month. I do make my kids there lunch here. This next year I will have 3 in Grade School.

Answer 7

Ours is $2 for lunch, $1.35 for breakfast. They only eat breakfast there when my husband and I are both sick - which happens only a couple times a year.

I'll have 3 in school this fall, so I'll be paying $120 a month if they eat in the cafeteria. But most likely, I'll prepare lunches (so they are healthier). Buying stuff in bulk for 3 lunchboxes wouldn't be so bad.

I'm in Texas.

Answer 8

that's dirt cheap. I think lunch here is $2.35. You'd be hard pressed to put together a nutritious meal for anywhere near 60 cents a day. Plus they get hot food and cold, fresh milk. Just don't be surprised if your kids aren't all that impressed with the food in schools.

(Austin, TX)

Answer 9

I live in Montana, in middle school our kids eat for 30.00/month. My daughter does not like the meals, but they do seem to be balanced. Not sure how healthy they really are, you hear so much about the food not being kept cold or hot enough. I used to pack her lunch every day and I knew she was getting things she liked and healthy, but it got to be a pain in the butt coming up with different ideas.

Answer 10

That is way cheap -- I pay about $50 every two or three weeks for my son, but he is in high school. I work in a school though, and breakfast is 75 cents for kids. Lunch is $1.25.