Lhe price of school canteens: the headache for many communities so as not to penalize parents without digging into their budget. The Community of Communes (CdC) of 4B Sud Charente tried to resolve the problem last year. The community, which serves some 1,400 meals per day, has established social pricing by taking into account the family quotient of each household. An experience that will only last this year 2024. Faced with the surge in food prices and production costs (fluids, equipment, personnel), the CdC is reviewing its price list. The price of the canteen will jump by 21% on 1is next January. With a return to the single package at 4 euros per meal.
“It's practically a quarter of an increase at once and an additional hundred euros to be paid per year for parents,” assesses Dominique de Castelbajac, the mayor of Passirac. He recommends the establishment of a “mode of calculation” to avoid these jolts in the future. “The subject was raised in the school board which will give itself time to work on the cost of production and personnel costs,” indicates Jacques Chabot, president of 4B.
“Efficiency avenues”
It is aiming for a saving of around 100,000 euros to return to a remaining liability for the community of 1.3 million euros. Because to date, for a meal which costs on average 10 euros, the parents' contribution amounts to an average of 3.30 euros (2 euros for households benefiting from tranche 1 and representing 25 children, Editor's note). The share taken by the CdC increased from 1.2 to 1.4 million euros in three years.
The community is considering several “efficiency avenues”. Knowing that the production cost varies between 8 and 13 euros depending on the kitchens, central (in Barbezieux and Baignes) or satellite. “We also looked at the payroll,” continues Jacques Chabot. Retirements may not be replaced. This “groundwork” to lower costs will not affect the quality of the meals served to children. According to the EGalim law, they must contain at least 50% sustainable and quality products including at least 20% organic.
