Colfax school cafeterias face price hikes, budget challenges

In the strain to save money under recent budget cuts in the Colfax School District, the cafeterias have felt it two ways.

Shrinking budgets and increasing food prices have happened almost simultaneously. Nonetheless, the Colfax district’s Food Service budget posted a net gain of $11,406 last year, a $42,000 swing in four years.

At a time when most school districts’ food service departments run a deficit, Colfax Kitchen Manager Kathy Kammerzell is pressed to counter yearly budget cuts and price increases month after month.

The school board sets meal prices for the kids, and while food prices ha...