Lunch sale numbers are down at Hopkinton Middle/ High School, leading school officials to look at possible solutions to get more students to purchase lunches.

During the 2006-07 school year, approximately 225 to 250 middle and high school students purchased lunch per day. In the first two weeks of this school year, the number of high school students purchasing lunch each day is down to 175 according to Superintendent of Schools Brian Blake, who got the numbers from the director of food services.

The numbers are likely a result of an increase in the cost of lunch, which is $3 this year, vs. $2.50 last year. Although Blake said the price will remain the same, he also said the district will consider other alternatives.

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

“We increased the price to try to balance the food service budget and do some different things,” he said. “We’re going to take a look at what options we have. There may be something like a combination of things students could buy instead of the full lunch, and maybe some different offerings.”

According to Blake, the lunch program normally runs in the negative.

“In my previous experience, the program will often run in the red,” he said. “You expect it to run in the red and plan on funds coming from the general fund to support the food service budget. That’s how it’s been here in the past.”

Although Blake is not terribly worried about the smaller numbers of students purchasing lunch, he is concerned about giving all students the opportunity to eat the food the school provides.

“We want kids to be able to afford and participate in the lunch program while also being cognizant of the budget,” he said.