Bellevue students whose families pay the full cost for school lunch will see higher prices next fall.

The school board approved a 50-cent increase to the current $2.25 lunch price during its May 6 meeting. Students will pay $10 more per month on average.

Students on the free and reduced lunch program will not be affected.

“The bottom line is the cost of food has gone up so much due to fuel prices,” said Mike Anderson, District director of Support Services. “Wheat has gone up. We’re getting surcharges on our deliveries and we don’t see any chance that prices are going to stabilize.”

In the past two years, food prices have risen 20 percent and are expected to go up another 10-20 percent over the next several years, Anderson noted.

With the lunch price increase, the district will be able to offer students more food variety and better quality fruits, vegetables, meat and bread products.

Carrie Wood can be reached at cwood@reporternewspapers.com or 425-453-4290.