Lakewood Ranch families will pay more at the lunch line when school starts Monday, Aug. 10.

The School District of Manatee County is raising secondary lunch prices by 15 cents per meal and elementary lunch by 25 cents, according to WWSB reporting published Aug. 3. Breakfast stays free for every Manatee County student. The Manatee School Board approved the increase at its May 12 regular meeting.

For a family with two kids at Lakewood Ranch High School, that 15-cent daily bump adds up to roughly $27 more per child over a full school year.

Sarasota County Faces Bigger Increases, With a Second Hike Coming in January

Sarasota County families face steeper hikes. Breakfast jumps 25 cents to $2.50, and lunch rises about 40 cents when school opens, pushing the high school price to $4.15. A second increase in January 2027 will bring high school lunch to $4.40.

"The cost increase is coming out of our school district because the cost of our purchasing has gone up in our food service, so we've had to unfortunately look at ways to stay afloat," Sarasota School Board member Tom Edwards told WWSB.

Both districts point to the same two pressures: food purchasing costs are climbing, and federal meal reimbursements are shrinking as fewer students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

Lakewood Ranch High Doesn't Qualify for Free Universal Meals

Lakewood Ranch High School is not among the 28 Manatee County schools operating under the federal Community Eligibility Provision, which provides free breakfast and lunch to all enrolled students regardless of household income. Families at Lakewood Ranch High must apply separately for free or reduced-price benefits through SchoolCafé on the district's website.

Regina Thoma, director of Food and Nutrition Services for the School District of Manatee County, told WWSB the district needs to keep pace with rising costs. The district encourages families who may qualify to submit applications before the first day of school.

How to Apply for Meal Benefits Before Classes Start

Manatee County families can apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits at manateeschools.net. The application also qualifies students for exam fee waivers and other benefits. Sarasota County food and nutrition information is available at sarasotacountyschools.net/page/food-nutrition.

Families who submit applications before Monday can avoid paying full price while their eligibility is processed.