Salisbury Township School District Business Administrator Robert Bruchak presented the proposed 2013-2014 food service budget at the operations committee meeting June 5.

Under the proposed plan, lunch prices would remain the same as last school year $2.50 for elementary school students and $2.75 for middle and high school students. Bruchak said $65,000 from the general fund would go to help cover the food service operating costs.

He said the biggest challenges facing the food service budget are the rising costs of food and labor. The federal wellness policy standards have increased food costs for the district and Bruchak said the Public School Employees Retirement System and healthcare costs are "increasing dramatically."

Food from outside sources, such as pizza for parties for student organizations, decreases the number of students buying lunch from the cafeteria. Director of Facilities William Brackett said these events happen almost every day. "I know because my guys are the ones who have to clean that stuff up," Brackett said.

The district may look into having the cafeteria supply the food for pizza parties and other events such as birthday parties. Doing so would also ensure that the district's wellness standards are being followed. "It won't be easy or well-taken, but it's maybe something we have to consider," Bruchak said.

Salisbury's lunch prices are the highest in Lehigh County. Southern Lehigh's prices are the second highest, charging $2.35 for elementary school lunch and $2.65 for secondary school lunch. Bruchak said Salisbury's small size is a disadvantage when it comes to food service. Bigger school districts in the county can afford lower lunch prices because they serve more students.

The East Penn School District charges $2 for elementary school lunch and $2.10 for secondary school lunch. The Allentown School District charges $1.60 for elementary school lunch and $1.80 for secondary school lunch.

To find ways to reduce costs, Bruchak said he is investigating and sharing information with other local school districts. He said he has been talking to the business administrator of the Catasauqua School District and plans to visit there in the coming weeks.

This was the final operations committee meeting for the 2012-13 school year as the committee does not meet in July.