Why Buy a School Lunch

Compare the costs of a lunch brought from home with school lunch prices and you will see that the school lunch is a bargain.

Cost of a Sample Lunch from Home Determined from prices at local grocery store 8/09
	Elementary	Middle/High
Bread (white), 2 slices Turkey slices, 3oz Potato Chips, (small bag) Baby Carrots (6-8) Red Grapes (20) Milk, 1/2 pint (at school) Bag, napkin, etc Labor, 15 minutes Total Cost	$.28 $1.50 $.33 $.30 $.63 $.60 $.10 free $3.74	$.28 $1.50 $.33 $.30 $.63 $.60 $.10 free $3.74
Lunch purchased at school	$2.65	$2.75
Savings	$1.09	$ .99

School Lunch VS Commercial "Lunchables"
	Elementary School Lunch	Prepackaged Lunch
COST	$2.65	Over $3.50
Nutrient Content	low fat low saturated fat low in sodium high in calcium	higher fat higher saturated fat higher sodium content
Variety Entrees	numerous choices plus chef salads	limited choices
Fruit/ Vegetables	several choices	lacks fresh fruit
Beverage	milk high in calcium	fruit drink
Food Safety	prepared under strict sanitary conditions	may not be held at correct temperatures such as in classroom
Service:	quick and easy	quick and easy

Last update: August 11, 2009
Curator: Penny McConnell, Penny.McConnell@fcps.edu