Briefly in the news

-- Deirdre Newman

California’s health-conscious attitudes are trickling into the

cafeterias of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. But the

nutritious cuisine comes at a higher price.

The rates for school lunches throughout the district have increased

this year. Kindergarten lunches will be $1.75, while students in first

through 12th grades will be paying $2.

The increase is due to the district’s efforts to expand the selection

and offer more vegetarian choices. But the meat-free entrees are more

expensive to produce, said Richard Greene, director of nutrition

services.

Greene emphasized that the higher cost for lunch does not go toward

subsidizing the free-lunch program for low-income students.

In addition to more of a selection in the cafeteria, parents also now

have the option of prepaying for student lunches. Credit cards are now

acceptable in addition to cash and checks, Greene said.

By buying a semester’s worth of meals at a time, parents may reduce

the lunch price for first- through 12th-graders from $2 to $1.85.