As you head into another school year, what are your biggest financial concerns, in relation to how what is going on in the world around us affects your bottom line? I know that decreasing gas prices is a great relief to you, especially as your school buses get back on the road for a new year (and many fall sporting events).

How else is the economy impacting your school’s finances? For example, are you seeing an increase in your lunchroom budget due to rising food costs?

A recent survey of school nutrition directors, conducted by the School Nutrition Association (SNA), showed that “the increase in food, milk and energy costs, combined with high labor and benefit costs are driving school boards to raise lunch prices and school nutrition programs to cut costs or go into the red.”

The SNA survey of school nutrition directors found that:

* 75% of respondents are raising the price of school meals.

* 62% are considering cutting employees.

* 69% are dipping into financial reserves that are normally "rainy day funds" for capital equipment purchases.

According to the USDA Economic Research Service, many food items critical to providing balanced, nutritious school meals have seen double-digit price increases, including milk (17%), rice and pasta (13%), cheese (15%), and bread (12%).

Are rising food costs forcing you to change (or look into changing) the way you serve food to your students? Are you having to make substitutions (such as frozen over fresh vegetables) or downgrade the menus for less-expensive options in order to keep your allotted cafeteria funds in line with the economy?

I’m always interested in hearing from you. You can reach me at jill@cspmag.com.

God Bless,

Jill Pinheiro
Managing Editor