Students returning to classrooms in Wake County and Durham this week will notice a different look on their lunch trays. Both districts are temporarily pulling fresh salads, parsley and cilantro from menus after a statewide Cyclospora outbreak linked to leafy greens and herbs. The parasite, which spreads through contaminated food or water, has caused more than 900 cases and 32 hospitalizations in North Carolina since May.
Menu changes for safety
Wake County Public Schools (WCPS) announced that all a‑la‑carte and tossed salads will be removed from serving lines until the risk subsides. Durham Public Schools is taking a slightly longer pause, opting to serve only canned and frozen fruits and vegetables through September. The precautionary steps are meant to protect students while the health department investigates the source of the outbreak.
Free meals expand under the Community Eligibility Provision
Beyond the safety adjustments, both districts are widening access to free meals. WCPS said 53 of its 204 schools will now provide both breakfast and lunch at no cost under the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). That is an increase from 44 sites last year and includes 19 universal‑breakfast locations where every child receives a free morning meal.
“The biggest change this year is our increase in CEP sites,” said Tiffany Lawrence, senior director of Child Nutrition Services for Wake County. She noted that roughly 42 % of students qualify for free or reduced‑price meals this year, up from about 37 % previously, reflecting a shift in the economic makeup of the student population.
Price adjustments for families paying full price
Families who do not qualify for free meals will see a modest price increase. WCPS raised elementary breakfast to $2.25 and lunch to $4.00. Middle and high school breakfast will cost $2.50 and lunch $4.25. Lawrence attributed the rise to higher labor and food costs, adding that the district aims to eventually meet federal reimbursement rates while covering those expenses.
Why nutrition matters
Lawrence emphasized that school meals do more than stave off hunger. Research cited by the district shows students who eat breakfast tend to achieve higher reading, science and math scores. “It helps a student thrive while they’re at school,” she said.
What parents can expect
Parents in Wake and Durham should expect the temporary removal of fresh salads and the continued availability of hot, cooked meals. The districts will monitor the public‑health situation and restore fresh produce when it is deemed safe. In the meantime, families can rely on the expanded free‑meal sites to ensure no child goes hungry, and they can plan for the slight increase in meal costs if they are paying out‑of‑pocket.
Both school systems remain committed to providing nutritious, affordable meals while safeguarding student health during the Cyclospora outbreak.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
