The sharp increase in the cost of school lunches in Catalonia affects thousands of families across the region. Starting from the new academic year, the daily fee for regular users will be €7.83, while those who use the service occasionally will pay €8.61. This is yet another step in a chain of price hikes that directly impacts household budgets and raises concerns about the accessibility of school meals for all students.
The new rates have been published in the official bulletin of the Catalan government. Compared to last school year, prices have risen by 4%, which amounts to around 30 cents a day. For parents, this means extra expenses that could add up to dozens of euros over the year. The effect is particularly noticeable for families with several children.
Reasons for the increase
Since 2020, the cost of school lunches in Catalonia has been steadily rising. Before the pandemic, prices had remained unchanged for 13 years: €6.20 for regular users and €6.80 for occasional users. However, following the introduction of restrictions and changes in meal organization, a wave of annual increases began. Over six years, the cost has risen by 26%.
Companies providing school cafeterias have insisted on the need to revise rates. They attribute this to rising food costs, increased staff wages, and overall inflation. According to available information, only a third of the amount parents pay goes directly toward food. The rest is split between staff salaries, organizing leisure activities, administrative expenses, and company profits.
Impact on schools and families
The new rates affect all public schools in Catalonia, where lunch lasts two and a half hours. In institutions with a two-hour lunch break, the cost will be slightly lower: €7.41 for regular users and €8.15 for occasional users. Although these amounts are considered the maximum, schools and municipalities can adjust them based on their resources and needs.
Catalonia continues to lead among Spanish regions in school lunch costs. For many parents, this has become a significant expense, especially amid the general rise in food and service prices. In some cases, schools or local authorities can offer benefits or reduce the cost for specific family categories, but the base rates remain high.
Details and consequences
Products account for less than a third of the cost structure for school lunches. The main share goes to paying the salaries of cooks, supervisors, and support staff, as well as organizing activities during lunchtime. Administrative expenses and company profits are also included in the final amount.
The decision to raise prices has sparked discussion among parents and teachers. Some believe that tariff increases are inevitable due to inflation and rising wages, while others worry it will reduce access to meals for children from low-income families. Authorities emphasize that the new rates reflect the real costs of providing quality meals and activities at schools.
In recent years, Spain has faced regular increases in the cost of school lunches across various regions. For example, Madrid and Valencia have also recorded annual rises linked to higher prices for foodstuffs and labor. In some autonomous communities, support measures for low-income families are being discussed to ensure continued access to school meals for all students. Overall, the trend of rising lunch prices remains across the country, making it a pressing issue for parents and educational institutions.
