Northeast Florida school districts are thousands of dollars in debt for unpaid lunches

NORTHEAST, Fla. — Action News Jax Investigates found local school districts are thousands of dollars in debt for unpaid lunches -- some significantly more than others.

About 29 million students buy school lunches every day nationwide, according to the School Nutrition Association. Each meal only costs a couple of dollars, but Action News Jax found it’s adding up to thousands of dollars in debt for local school districts when someone doesn’t pay.

Action News Jax requested the current debt for unpaid lunches from school districts in Northeast Florida. As of March 4, 2020, each district reported the following debt.

• Duval County: $3,746.80
• Nassau County: $7,800
• St. Johns County: $8,736.90
• Clay County, $25,792.90

The Clay County School District said their current debt is less the previous year, which was nearly $33,000. A spokesperson said their high schools have the most debt because of large enrollment.

She also said the District allows a $10 loan per student, provided by the Food and Nutrition Services Department. After the student has exceeded the amount, they may use a supplemental school account. If none is available, the manager will provide a turkey and cheese or ham and cheese sandwich along with a side or dessert.

Any negative balances not paid are taken as a loss by the Food and Nutrition Services Department, which also accepts donations. Anyone interested in donating can contact the schools’ cafeteria manager or the director of Food and Nutrition Services.

“Sometimes students don’t get a warm lunch every day and at school they do. So I feel like a free lunch is good for them. And with the unpaid debt, I think we make enough money in Clay County to make sure our students are fed," parent Polly Hill said.

The District also offers a free and reduced meals. Applications can be found here.

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