Lunch for elementary school students in Jockgrim: prices rise to five euros!

In the Jockgrim community, parents of primary school children have to expect higher costs for lunch from the coming school year. The contributions increase from four euros to five euros per meal. This decision was made in the last meeting of the municipal council of the past year. Despite the increase, the parental contributions only cover part of the actual costs that are incurred for lunch.

An example illustrates the situation: At the primary school Hatzenbühl, a dish costs 6.43 euros, which is delivered by an external caterer. The community pays part of these costs to alleviate the financial burden for parents.

Situation of lunch in Rhineland-Palatinate

This price increase is part of a major problem that affects lunch catering in Rhineland-Palatinate. Lunch is offered in many all -day schools and supervising primary schools, whereby the financing is made by municipal school authorities. A comprehensive examination of the Court of Auditors has shown that many school authorities often have no precise knowledge of their financial expenses for lunch catering.

An investigation into 14 municipalities, associations and counties has shown that the recording of the catering -related expenses and income in accounting is often inadequate. In an example, a municipality reported annual surplus of 2,000 euros, but had deficits of at least 70,000 euros. The incorrect calculation of the fees for the catering is a central problem, since this is required by law at all -day schools and supervising primary schools.

The costs for the catering fluctuate strongly and are between three and 5.50 euros per meal. With 56 out of 92 -certified schools, the income was not sufficient to cover the costs of the caterers. Cover gaps are often compensated for by general budgets or liquidity loans. The Court of Auditors also found that uneconomical missions of kitchen staff and organizational defects in the settlement tighten the situation.

The need for effective and cost -sensitive lunch catering is obviously available, but school authorities and municipalities also have to better use the opportunities for cutting costs, such as tenders for caterers. Because the nationwide studies show that the actual costs for warm catering by caterers are generally over five euros per meal, which in particular brings households with lower incomes in difficulties, since recipients of minimum social security services usually only have to wear a small share.