Julie Ball

jball@citizen-times.com

ASHEVILLE - Lunch prices for Buncombe County students will increase by 10 cents next year.

Buncombe County school board members approved the increase as part of their consent agenda on Thursday.

The increase is needed because of a federal mandate, according to Lisa Payne, child nutrition director for Buncombe County Schools.

The price has to match the cost to produce the meal, Payne said.

The school district did a similar lunch price increase two years ago, Payne said.

The new lunch price at the elementary school will be $2.35 for full-paying students. The price at the intermediate schools will be $2.40 and the price at high school will be $2.65.

The cost for students who are getting reduced price lunch will remain the same. The district will continue to provide free breakfast to all students in county schools, Payne said.