Fayette County Public Schools May Raise Meal Prices

School district cites negative food fund balance as reason for potential price hikes.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:07pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating grid pattern of a school lunch tray with various food items, conceptually representing the importance of affordable school meals.A vibrant, pop art-inspired illustration captures the essential role of school meals, even as districts face financial pressures to raise prices.Lexington Today

Fayette County Public Schools in Kentucky is considering raising meal prices for students due to a negative food fund balance as of June 30, 2025. The proposed increases would raise breakfast from $2 to $2.50 and lunch prices from $2.75 to $3.50 for pre-K to 5th grade, and from $3 to $3.75 for 6th to 12th grade. The district's meal assistance program will still be available to qualifying families.

Why it matters

Rising food costs and supply chain issues have put financial strain on many school districts, leading some to consider raising meal prices for students. This could impact low-income families who rely on affordable school meals, raising concerns about food insecurity and equitable access to nutrition.

The details

Fayette County Public Schools said the Kentucky Department of Education is requiring districts to raise prices if they had a negative food fund balance as of June 30, 2025. The school board discussed the proposed price increases during a recent meeting, with plans to further discuss the matter on April 27.

  • The negative food fund balance was recorded on June 30, 2025.
  • The school board will discuss the price increases again on April 27, 2026.

The players

Fayette County Public Schools

The public school district serving Lexington, Kentucky and surrounding areas.

Kentucky Department of Education

The state education agency that oversees and provides guidance to local school districts in Kentucky.

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What’s next

The school board will vote on the proposed meal price increases at their meeting on April 27.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the financial challenges many school districts face in providing affordable, nutritious meals to students, especially in the wake of the pandemic and rising food costs. The district's commitment to maintaining its meal assistance program is crucial to ensuring low-income families can still access these essential services.