It doesn’t matter what classes you take, or what sport you play, all students at Coppell High School share one of three common periods: lunch. Often underestimated, eating lunch plays an important role in staying focused and alert during class.

Like most schools, CISD Child Nutrition department does an excellent job of providing food to thousands of students in the district. The process is no simple task, as the cafeterias are required to follow numerous USDA and state nutrition guidelines. This year, however, costs have increased from the prices offered in the years before.

“Even though price increases may be inconvenient, I understand that sometimes schools have to increase prices to meet needs. To me it’s not too annoying”, says sophomore, Alex Briggs.

Specifically, breakfast prices have increased from $1.00 to $1.25 and lunch prices have increased to $3.00, as opposed to $2.75. While such price increases may seem trivial, they can make a difference when to those who purchase meals daily in the Cafeterias. Fortunately, Coppell ISD offers a free/reduced lunch program helps provide meals to families that are having trouble meeting ends.

Another regulation new to this school year is the USDA law requiring that no negative or empty lunch accounts be charged.  Because of this rule, students will not be able to purchase food on a empty lunch account.  Prior to this year, regulations stated that no charges could be made once an account had been charged $5.00, allowing for some negative charges.

Even with these new changes, Coppell schools with continue to provide over one million lunches each year, complying fully with state nutritional guidelines.