Parents in the Andalusia City School system will pay more for school lunches next school year.

Child Nutrition Director Stephanie Dillard said the increase is necessary due to increase in costs due to federal legislation for more healthy school lunches supported by First Lady Michelle Obama.

“The lunch price increase is federally mandated due to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, signed into law by President Obama,” she said.

Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger Free Act of 2010 in December to improve school nutrition in the National School Lunch Program.

The bill adds 6 cents to the federal reimbursement for schools that meet forthcoming updated nutrition standards for breakfast and lunch.

It also ensures that water is available free of charge during the meal service and that only lower-fat milk options are served.

Beginning Aug. 8, prices will increase from $1.75 to $2 for students. Adult lunch price will be $2.50; and a visitor lunch will be $3. Neither the adult lunch price nor the visitor lunch price includes tea, which is a quarter.

Student breakfast remains the same at 75 cents; adult breakfast is $1.25; and visitor breakfast is $1.50.

Dillard said lunch prices have not increased since 2008, and that the government reimbursement is approximately $2.62 per meal for children who receives free lunches and the government want those who pay for lunches to be charged that amount.

Opp City Schools and Covington County Schools both have implemented increases as well.