Article Summary –
President Trump’s economic policies, including tariffs and actions related to the war in Iran, are leading to increased costs for school meals, with Groundwork Collaborative reporting an 11% rise in the price of lunch staples over the past year. New tariffs from July 2026 on imports from 59 countries and the European Union, combined with a surge in fuel prices, are cited as contributors to the rising costs, which are further exacerbated by increased diesel prices affecting food shipping and a constrained fertilizer supply. Additionally, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act has made it more challenging for low-income families to qualify for nutritional assistance, thereby reducing the number of children eligible for free meals.
President Donald Trump’s policies have led to increased school meal costs, as reported by the nonprofit think tank Groundwork Collaborative in July. According to their research, families face steeper costs during the back-to-school season.
The report highlights an 11% rise in the price of typical lunch staples over the past year. Groundwork’s findings suggest that families will spend over $3,800 on school lunches this year, marking a $400 increase from 2025.
Parents now encounter higher grocery prices, with fresh blueberries rising by 47.7%, and deli meats like sliced ham and turkey increasing by roughly 12%. Prices of pantry staples, including sandwich bread, apple juice, and animal crackers, have also surged by 21.8%, 20%, and 15.7%, respectively.
Groundwork attributes these price hikes to Trump’s tariffs on imported goods and rising fuel prices caused by his war in Iran. In July, the administration introduced new tariffs of 10%-12.5% on products from 59 countries and the EU, affecting 99% of U.S. imports. This prompted 25 states to sue the administration for tariff cancellation.
Trump’s war in Iran has also driven up oil prices, escalating diesel costs and hiking prices of petroleum-based packaging. CNBC reports that diesel fuel hit a national record of $5.85 per gallon on Sept. 4, a 60% increase from last year.
The nonprofit Engine Technology Forum states that 76% of U.S. commercial trucks use diesel, further inflating food shipping costs and consumer prices. The war also restricts fertilizer supply, exacerbating food price increases.
Despite these challenges, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by Trump in July 2025 is complicating the situation for families. According to Groundwork, the law makes it tougher for low-income families to access food assistance and health benefits, reducing the number of children eligible for free meals.
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