HI SR113

Urges the Department of Education to provide a detailed report to the Legislature on the true cost of producing school meals to ensure transparency and prevent unnecessary price increases

Requests cost breakdown data for 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and 2026-2027 school years including ingredients (with local sourcing indication), operational costs, beverage costs, materials and supplies, and logistical/distribution costs

Requires data on number of meals provided by category: full-price, reduced-price, free meals, meals subject to federal reimbursement, meals not subject to federal reimbursement, and total meal costs

Prompted by proposed price increases from $2.50 to $4.75 for grades K-8 and $2.75 to $5.00 for grades 9-12 by 2028-2029, with Department citing $9.00 cost per student lunch

Report and recommendations must be submitted to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the 2026 Regular Session