Meal prices at Queen Anne’s County Public Schools likely will be increasing for the 2012-13 school year. Pending changes in USDA regulations would require schools that charged less than $2.51 for paid lunches in the 2011-12 school year to increase prices by 4.18-percent. John Gallagher, who handles the district’s food service account with Sodexo Inc., suggested the school board approve a 15-cent increase to the prices of paid breakfasts and lunches at all county schools. After federal subsidies, the district is spending 8 cents more per meal than it is reimbursed, but ala carte sales have helped cover the majority of that deficit. The district is still on pace to lose approximately $8,000 on food service costs this school year due to what Gallagher termed “an unfunded mandate” from the federal government requiring larger portions of fruits and vegetables and the inclusion of more whole grains in each meal. The proposal was presented April 4 to the school board. The board is expected to vote on the proposed price increase at its May 2 meeting. To comment, go to http://qacps.schoolwires.net.