MARYSVILLE — The saying is that there is no such thing as a free lunch.

And for Marysville School District students, the price of lunch, as well as breakfast, has gone up.

Shortly after passing a new budget that includes cuts in basic education and the system nursing program, school officials also acted in early August to increase the price of student lunches and breakfasts.

Milk prices also have increased.

According to district Finance Director Jim Baker, the cost of school breakfasts and lunches have increased 50 cents across the board for the coming school year.

For elementary grade students, breakfast will now cost $1.75, while lunches will be $2.75.

At higher grade levels, the cost of breakfast was set at $2, while lunches will carry a price tag of $3.

For milk, prices are set to go up 10 cents, from 40 cents to 50 cents.

Baker told the school board of directors the district needs the increases to offset the rising cost of food coming into the district. As examples, he offered that milk prices have increased 12 percent, while cheese has gone up 15 percent. The cost of bread has risen 17 percent, Baker said.

According to Baker, surrounding districts also have upped the cost of their food offerings. He further claimed the new Marysville prices are in line with what is being charged in neighboring school systems.