Parents have to dig deeper and deeper into their pockets for school meals. The network center for daycare and school catering believes that the end has not yet been reached. In Dresden, the city is looking for a way out at the round table.
Dresden (dpa/sn) - Those responsible for preparing the food in schools and daycare centers have to dig deeper into their pockets. "The current price increases in school meals in Saxony are around 20 percent," said project manager Manuela Sorg from the network center for daycare and school meals in Dresden of the German Press Agency. The reason for this is the increase in the minimum wage and rising costs for food and energy. The energy costs have not yet had their full effect. Further price increases are therefore to be expected.
According to Sorg, the price increases have increasingly led to children being withdrawn from school lunches. To what extent is unfortunately not recorded. "Price increases, declining numbers of diners and the quality debate require joint action by parents, food providers and municipalities."
The state capital Dresden, where a "round table on school meals" with mayor Jan Donhauser (CDU), city councillors, representatives of the school authority, the district parent council and the food suppliers is looking for ways to offer good school meals, is considered an example. According to the information, the prices per portion range between 3 and 5.10 euros, depending on the type of school, food provider, menu line and number of students. Since January, prices have risen by between ten cents and one euro, it said.
The rising costs are dealt with differently, said Sorg. In some cases, price increases for school meals by the caterers are not possible during the contract period. Many providers are therefore forced to partially compensate for cost increases through the offer. Any development away from balanced, varied and sustainable catering in daycare centers and schools is viewed with great concern.
"All caterers strive to maintain the usual quality," said Donhauser. In some cases, there has been a reduction in the menus on offer, and lower-priced foods such as pasta have increasingly dominated the menu.
In Chemnitz, prices for school meals first went up in August and then again in October. The portions now cost between 3.95 euros and 4.90 euros. Originally, contracts were signed with the caterers in August 2021 after a tender. This should actually keep the prices for lunch in a range of 3.20 euros to 4.10 euros. So far there are no indications of a deterioration or change in the quality or the offer, it said.
Complaints about increased food prices are limited according to previous feedback, said the deputy chairman of the state parent council, André Jaroslawski. The prices have risen by up to 1.40 euros per portion and would sometimes reach up to 5.20 euros. It can be assumed that some parents will give up and accept the developments. Jaroslawski emphasized that he had the impression that after two years of the pandemic and the associated burdens for students and parents, families in the current crises were still not the focus of politics.
The increase in costs certainly does not make school meals any more attractive, said Hermine Lowke from the state student council. "Actually, the goal should be for all students to take part in the school meals because the selection, quality and price are right. However, given the rising costs, this is becoming increasingly difficult for the catering companies." One perceives price increases between 40 cents and one euro. "We usually hear of prices between 3 and 5.00 euros depending on the provider and region."
With an application, the parliamentary group of the left now wants to ask the government to take measures against the rising prices for food in schools and daycare centers. A group spokesman said: "This is and will definitely remain an issue for us, it will also be one of our priorities in the budget debate - after all, the Free State has a good opportunity to relieve families." The parliamentary group calls for a price cap.
