Due to proposed changes in federal regulations, the cost of school lunches in Wareham Public Schools may be increasing over the next three years.

If the proposed updates to the regulations are approved, schools will be required to increase the fruits and vegetables served to students, increase whole grains so that half of all grains offered are whole, select and prepare lean meats, poultry, and meat alternates, limit the use of processed meats, and gradually reduce the sodium content of school meals so that in ten years, the amount of sodium in meals will be cut in half.

The cost of lunches will only be increased if the proposed changes are approved at the federal level, though school officials said approval will likely happen within the coming weeks, with the changes taking effect July 1.

Cafeteria workers say the new regulations would not only cause the district to spent more on food, but will require more labor in the preparation of meals, as workers will need to prepare more meals from scratch to comply with the regulations for processed meats and sodium.

“We would not be here to request a price increase if we didn't feel that it was absolutely necessary,” Jean Smith, cafeteria manager for Wareham High School, told the School Committee during its Wednesday, May 25 meeting.

School lunch prices have not been increased since 2006. Elementary students currently pay $1.75, while middle and high school students pay $2.00.

The federal government also regulates how school districts set meal prices. A new regulation going into effect on July 1 will also contribute to a rate increase.

Districts are reimbursed for some of their expenses based on the number of free meals, reduced-priced meals, and paid-in-full meals. Wareham currently receives 31 cents for each paid meal served, $2.77 for each free meal served, and $2.37 for each reduced-priced meal while the student pays 40 cents, for a total of $2.77.

Beginning July 1, schools will be required to gradually increase rates so that they are charging students who pay full-price a cost that is, on average, equal to the difference between free meal reimbursement and paid meal reimbursement, according to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

That difference is currently $2.46. Based on current prices, the revenue from paid-in-full elementary lunch is $2.06 and $2.31 on the middle and high school levels, causing the district to fall 71 cents short at the elementary level and 46 cents short at the middle and high school levels. The requirement must be met by the fall of 2013.

Gradually increasing the prices across three years at the elementary level would cost families approximately 23 cents more per meal, while middle and high school meals would be increased roughly 15 cents per meal for students who do not receive reduced or free lunches. About half of the district's students receive free or reduced-priced lunches.

The school district's cafeteria department is the only department that pays for itself, said Superintendent Dr. Barry Rabinovitch. It pays for all of its expenses, including employee health insurance and equipment repairs and purchases, through the revenue generated by meal purchases.

Rabinovitch said the department has worked to keep prices down while dealing with the increased prices of health insurance and the repair or replacement of old equipment.

“The [cafeteria] managers have taken a very business-like attitude to running this on a shoestring,” he said.

School Committee members expressed frustration with the regulations, which essentially mandate the district to raise prices during difficult financial times for many families.

“Seems like we're backed into a corner here,” said School Committee chair Kenneth Fontes. “It's something we have to do.”

However, School Committee member Rachel Gillette noted that though the new meal requirements would necessitate a price increase, the changes are positive.

“With kids that are coming from homes that are hurting, we're offering them a really healthy meal and that may be the only healthy meal they get,” Gillette said. She pointed out that the increase would cost families less per week than a cup of coffee purchased at a cafe.

In other School Committee business:

The School Committee voted unanimously to allow Chair Kenneth Fontes to offer Superintendent Dr. Barry Rabinovitch a new contract under terms agreed upon during negotiations in executive session. The contract will be made public as soon as it is signed by Rabinovitch, said School Committee member Geoff Swett.