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Riverhead School District raises prices in lunchroom for adults

The Riverhead School District approved price increases for adult meals served throughout the district’s cafeterias at Tuesday’s school board meeting.

The decision meant higher breakfast and lunch prices for staff and faculty across the district took effect Wednesday morning.

The cost of breakfast was raised from $1.75 to $2.50 with tax; lunch prices rose $4 to $4.50 with tax.

The changes will only affect staff and faculty in the district. Students will continue to pay the same amount for breakfast and lunch prices. Elementary school students pay $2.50 for lunch, middle school students pay $2.75 for lunch and high school students pay $3. These prices are identical to last year.

Students in four of the schools — Aquebogue Elementary School, Phillips Avenue School, Pulaski Street School and Roanoke Avenue Elementary School — do not pay for meals regardless of family income because the district participates in the Community Eligibility Provision.

The change will not affect students receiving free or reduced-price lunches. Those receiving reduced-price lunches will continue to pay 25 cents per meal.

Students are eligible for free breakfast, lunch and milk if they meet certain criteria based on household size and income. A student from a four-person home earning $32,630 or less annually qualifies for free meals.

All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families can get free meals regardless of income.

On Nov. 27, 2017, the district revised a cafeteria policy that prohibited students who owe money to the cafeteria program from participating in any graduation or moving-up ceremony.

Correction: The price increase only affects adults in the district; student prices are unchanged. And the home earning figure to qualify for free meals is $32,630. The original figure listed was outdated.

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