School Lunch Prices To Increase In Wallingford: What To Know

WALLINGFORD, CT — The price of school lunches is increasing in Wallingford for the upcoming school year, officials announced this week.

In a message to families on Tuesday, officials said that meal prices across the district will be adjusted beginning Aug. 27.

Elementary school breakfast will increase from $2 to $2.10, and elementary school lunch will increase from $3.25 to $3.60.

Middle school breakfast will increase from $2.10 to $2.20, while lunch will increase from $3.35 to $3.70.

High school breakfast will increase from $2.15 to $2.25, while lunch will increase from $3.45 to $3.80.

The adult meal price is increasing from $4.65 to $5.50.

“We made these price adjustment decisions with great care and consideration, recognizing the impact that this increase can have on family budgets,” Chris Hathaway, director of food services for Wallingford Public Schools, wrote in the message to families. “Our school nutrition program operates as a non-profit, which means all revenue goes directly toward buying food, paying our wonderful kitchen staff, and maintaining kitchen equipment. Over the past several years, our program has experienced the same economic pressures hitting households nationwide. With significant cost increases in food procurement, kitchen supplies, and kitchen equipment, this price adjustment will allow us to maintain the high-quality nutrition standards your children deserve.”

Hathaway also said Gov. Ned Lamont and the state legislature approved funding for the free school breakfast program for the 2026-27 school year.

School breakfast will be available to all enrolled K–12 students at no cost every school day for the upcoming school year, according to Hathaway.

“Every student in our district can receive a healthy, complete breakfast at school each day for $0,” Hathway wrote. “No sign-up or income verification is required for participation.”

The funding applies to one breakfast per school day, and any additional breakfasts purchased beyond that will be charged to the student's account at the full meal price shown above, according to Hathaway.

Hathaway also encouraged families to review the income eligibility guidelines for the district’s free and reduced-price meal program for the 2026–2027 school year, and said applications for the program will be released soon.

“The Wallingford Public Schools Food Service Program remains committed to nourishing our students so they can focus, learn, and thrive every day by providing fresh, healthy, and appealing meals that fuel their learning and growth,” Hathaway wrote.