List: How much lunch, breakfast costs at Franklin County schools

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Students are heading back to school, but many central Ohioans do not need to pack or pay for their meals.

Five Franklin County school districts offer universal free lunches, and others offer meal programs of their own accord. Most districts that offer free meals do so through the Community Eligibility Provision of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The CEP program is free for school districts where more than 25% students are eligible for school meals.

School lunch costs can add up. On average, Franklin County students who pay full price for meals will pay around $560 to eat lunches this school year. NBC4 broke down each district's costs below.

	Breakfast	Lunch
Elementary	$1.40	$2.82
Middle	$1.55	$3.10
High	$1.58	$3.41

Bexley City Schools

Bexley does not offer free lunch, but it does provide free breakfast for all students. Breakfast lasts from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in the Cassingham Complex, and from 7:45 to 8:10 a.m. for Maryland and Montrose elementaries.

For lunch, elementary students can pay $3.70, and middle and high schoolers pay $3.95.

Canal Winchester Local Schools

All students receive free lunch and breakfast every day through the CEP program, as about 45% of district students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Students can also buy ala carte items that are individually priced, or buy only milk for 50 cents.

Columbus City Schools

CCS continues to be eligible for free lunch and breakfast through CEP. To be free, students must select at least three food items, one of which must be a fruit or vegetable. If students do not fill their plate as required, they are charged ala carte pricing.

Dublin City Schools

Dublin students can qualify for free or reduced lunches, but the district does not offer universal free meals. Breakfast for all grade levels costs $1.50, and lunch pricing varies by grade level: $2.55 for elementary, $2.80 for middle school and $2.95 for high schoolers.

Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools

Gahanna-Jefferson students can apply for free and reduced-price meals, but otherwise have to pay for school meals. Breakfast for all students is $1.50, elementary lunch is $2.75 and middle and high school lunch is $3.

Grandview Heights Schools

Grandview Heights students can apply for free and reduced lunch meals, and all households will receive an application form. Otherwise, elementary students pay $3.50 for lunch. Middle and high schoolers all pay $2.50 for breakfast, with middle schoolers paying $3.75 for lunch and high schoolers paying $4.25.

Groveport Madison Schools

For its second year, Groveport Madison students can all enjoy free breakfast and lunch at school. This year, the district is also offering detailed nutritional information online for parents and students meals.

Hamilton Local School District

Hamilton Local Schools offers free breakfast and lunch through the CEP program. The district still asks qualifying families to submit a free and reduced lunch form to supply the most accurate information to the district when applying for grants and programs.

Hilliard City Schools

For Hilliard students who are not approved for free and reduced lunches, elementary schoolers pay $2.50 for lunches and all other students pay $3. Hilliard also offers $1.25 breakfasts for all students. Hilliard families must set up new automatic payment options this year, as the district changed its payment system.

New Albany-Plain Local Schools

Students can apply for reduced and free lunches online, or pay full price. Breakfast for all students costs $1.50, and lunches vary by location and grade. Primary and early learning center students owe $2.50 for lunch, intermediate students owe $2.65, middle schoolers owe $2.75 and high schoolers owe $3.50.

Olentangy Schools

Free and reduced lunch students are allowed to purchase extras and ala carte items in some grade levels, but must have money in their accounts or cash to buy them. All other students pay $1.50 for breakfast. Elementary lunches are $2.50, middle school lunches are $2.75 and high school lunches vary at $3 or $3.50.

Pickerington Local School District

All Pickerington students are eligible for free breakfasts and lunches. Families are asked to fill out a Household Information Report to help the district provide accurate information when applying for state and federal specialized funding services.

Reynoldsburg City School District

Unless students qualify for other pricing, Reynoldsburg students all pay $1.50 for breakfast. For lunches, elementary students pay $2.75, middle and junior high students pay $3.25, and high school students pay $3.50 this year.

South Western City Schools

Families must reapply to be eligible for free and reduced price lunches, or pay full price. Breakfast for all students is $1, and lunch is $2.60 for elementary schools, $2.80 for middle and intermediate schools, and $3 for high schools.

Upper Arlington Schools

Students can apply for reduced and free meals online, and have the option to buy a la carte items. Breakfast is only offered to middle school ($1.75) and high school ($2) students. Elementary lunches cost $3, middle school lunches cost $3.25 and high school lunches cost $4.25 or $4.75.

Westerville City Schools

Students who qualify for reduced price meals pay 40 cents for lunch and receive free breakfast. All other elementary students pay $1.25 for breakfast and $2.75 for lunch. All other middle and high schoolers pay $1.50 for breakfast and $3 for lunch this year.

Whitehall City Schools

Whitehall has offered free CEP meals for all students since fall of 2017, and will continue to this year. Students with dietary restrictions are asked to have a physician fill out an accommodation form.

Worthington Schools

All students, regardless of free or reduced price status, must take at least three items at breakfast and lunch. Breakfasts offer a grain, protein, fruit/vegetable and milk, and a lunch offers a grain, protein, fruit, vegetable and milk. Students must select a fruit or vegetable with every meal.

Students who do not qualify for free lunches pay $1.60 for breakfast. Elementary lunches cost $2.75 and middle and high school lunches cost $3.