Cheatham County Schools addresses concerns over school meal prices increase

By Kassidy Brown at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) · July 17, 2026 · 2 min read

What This Story Is AboutCheatham County Schools is addressing the concerns of parents after announcing an increase in prices for school meals.Why It MattersAccording to the last time the school district did this in 2022, parents will be paying 25 cents more per meal.What Happens NextThe new price...

Why this matters in The Nashville

The increase in school meal prices in Cheatham County Schools will have a direct impact on the wallets of local families, with some potentially paying hundreds more each year. As the new prices take effect later this summer, parents who are not eligible for the Free and Reduced Lunch program will face a 25-cent increase per meal, with breakfast now costing $3 and lunch $4. This change may be particularly felt in households with multiple children, where the added expense can quickly add up. The district's decision to raise prices after four years of stability is a response to rising food, labor, and operating costs, highlighting the ongoing challenge of maintaining affordable school meal programs in the face of increasing expenses. As the school year approaches, it will be worth watching how the community responds to this change and whether the district's efforts to promote the Community Eligibility Provision and Free and Reduced Lunch program can help mitigate the impact on local families.

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Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: schools · Published: July 17, 2026 · Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) · Reading time: 2 min

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