Schools will be in session in just two weeks. NBC Miami is getting your family prepared with a preview of current lunch prices.
Miami-Dade lunches are $2.25 for elementary students and $2.50 for middle and high school students. A free breakfast is available to each and every pubic school student.
"Whatever grade level your child is in, a free healthy breakfast is offered to every student in all of our schools. And there really is no better way to start the academic day," said Penny Parham from the Department of Food and Nutrition for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. "All studies show that people that eat breakfast have a better maintain of a healthy weight."
Broward public schools serve elementary lunches for $1.90, middle school lunches for $2.25, and high school lunches for $2.40. If students choose to get breakfast at school it's $1.10 for elementary kids and $1.20 at the middle and high school levels.
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Monroe County serves elementary school lunch for $2.25, middle and high school lunches for $2.50. Breakfast at any Monroe public school is $1.15.
Financial assistance is available. Families on food stamps, foster children, and households that meets income guidelines will qualify for free lunches. If not free, kids may qualify for reduced cost lunch at just 40 cents a meal (30 cents for breakfast). If a parent's or guardian's income changes, an application can be turned in any time during the school year.
A paper bag lunch can be a money saver. A ham and cheese sandwich, granola bar, carrot sticks, and juice box is about $1.80. Substitute a peanut butter sandwich instead, and the meal drops to just $1.10. Spend less by shopping sales and two-for-one deals.
