HOUSTON – These days everyone seems to be struggling with the economy. Add school districts to the list. They’re making changes to try to save money – changes that could affect your wallet.

Starting this school year, the Houston Independent School District is raising the price of reduced-price and full-price meals by twenty cents. It’s the first increase of its kind in years. The school district says produce costs are up 20 percent, and the cost of wheat and flour is up 14 percent.  The district budgets an estimated $1.6 billion dollars to run its schools. Still, the cost to buy food had gone up so much, it’s costing the district $4 million more than the last school year.

The district says it doesn’t have a choice but to raise prices. 

“Everyone who buys groceries at home can understand this,” says HISD spokesman Terry Abbott. “ When you go to the grocery store now stuff that cost a nickel or a dime or less just a week ago all of a sudden is that much more this week.  And when you figure that a school district as large as we are, with 300 schools and 200,000 students you take your own household grocery bill and you multiply that by 300, that’s what we’re looking at.”

HISD says the price increase won’t be passed on to students who receive free meals.

Families are bracing for the impact on their wallets. 

“I can understand that in a way,” said grandparent Audrey Carter. “But I can understand that not in a way. Because it might be hard on some parents. You know, they may have a low income. But if it has to be it has to be.”

Other school districts have also considered raising their prices.