Cheatham County school meal prices to increase for first time in four years ahead of Aug. 7 start

Families in the Cheatham County School District will pay more for student meals when the 2026-27 school year begins Aug. 7, marking the district's first meal price increase in four years.

Beginning this school year, student breakfast will cost $3, while student lunch will increase to $4. Adult meals also will increase, with breakfast priced at $4 and lunch at $6. Holiday meal prices also will rise.

District officials said the School Nutrition Department is required to operate as a self-sustaining program, relying on meal reimbursements and meal sales rather than local tax dollars.

"Our School Nutrition Program is required to be self-sustaining," the district said in a follow-up statement released after questions surfaced on social media. "Rising food, labor and operating costs have made a price adjustment necessary to maintain the program's financial health."

The district emphasized that the decision was made only after reviewing program finances and noted that meal prices had remained unchanged since 2022.

The announcement also prompted questions about why Cheatham County does not participate in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows qualifying school districts to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student regardless of household income.

According to the district, Cheatham County currently has a 27.4% CEP rate, while no individual school exceeds 50%. The U.S. Department of Agriculture generally recommends an identified student percentage of about 65% or higher for the program to be financially sustainable.

Officials said increasing participation in the district's Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application could improve those numbers and strengthen the district's eligibility in future years.

District leaders are encouraging all families who may qualify to complete an application, noting that many working families are surprised to learn they meet the income guidelines. A family of four with an annual household income of up to $61,050 may qualify for reduced-price meals, according to federal eligibility guidelines.

The district also stressed that no child is ever denied a meal because of an inability to pay, and student meal status remains confidential during meal service.

Officials also addressed concerns about the district's annual summer meal program, noting those meals are funded through a separate USDA summer feeding program and do not impact the school nutrition budget.

Families may submit free and reduced-price meal applications at any point during the school year if their financial circumstances change. Students who qualify receive breakfast for 30 cents and lunch for 40 cents, while eligible students in certain categories, including foster children and those receiving SNAP or Families First benefits, may receive meals at no charge.