Lunches at Fayette County public schools will increase by 5 cents beginning in August. Prices on reduced-price meals and breakfasts will remain unchanged.

The school board Monday unanimously approved the request from Nutrition Director Laurie Cartrett that would increase the lunch price by 2.5 percent to offset the increase in food costs.

Lunches at elementary schools will go from $2 to the new price of $2.05, while high school lunches will increase from $2.10 to $2.15.

Cartrett said that while the school nutrition income had been slightly above expenditures this past year, she anticipated a 4.5 percent to 5 percent increase in food costs in the coming year along with a 3 percent increase in other supplies.

And while labor costs will drop by 4.5 percent, this will not be enough to offset the increase in food and supplies costs, she said.

Prices for reduced-price lunches will hold steady at 40 cents, as will reduced price breakfasts at 30 cents. Regular elementary breakfasts will also remain the same at $1.35 and regular middle and high school breakfasts will stay at $1.45.