The average cost to prepare a school lunch has increased 10% since the 2007-2008 school year. The average cost rose from $2.63 to $2.90 for schools to prepare a nutritionally balanced school lunch that meets federal nutrition standards. Over the same timeframe, schools received only a 4.3% increase in the federal reimbursement for each free lunch provided to low income students. More money or lower quality? What would you prefer?