A meeting of Powys County Council's board on July 15 will determine if prices are to rise and, as is more likely, by how much.

A council spokesperson said: "We are having difficulty with rising food prices and the impact on the council's school meal service.

"Action was taken following a Board meeting in March but current forecasts indicate no sign of pressures easing, and it seems the costs have yet to peak.

"The effects of last year's poor summer have had significant impact on food production and supplies.

"Typically this has resulted in cost increases."

It is not only the rising food costs which are affecting the service – increased fuel prices are having a direct implication too.

Money to cover the increased cost of transporting the higher priced food has to come from somewhere, and these costs look likely to be handed down to parents wishing to use the schools dinner facilities.

The council changed their pricing structure for school dinners in April. Previously, dinners at infants schools cost £1.70, while junior pupils meals cost £1.75. These prices were both increased to a standard £1.80. However, recent estimates show the cost of each meal to make is around £2, meaning the service is already operating at a loss.

In an effort to combat this, the council changed their meal selection from a four week cycle to a three week cycle, resulting in a slight decrease in choice of meals on offer. They also explored avenues of sourcing food from further afield. However, the continued rise in cost of food production and supply leaves the council with little option but to increase the tariff.

Emma Brookes, a mother of two from Berriew, said the price of school dinners is worrying: "I'm considering giving the children packed lunches to take in, because it's becoming too expensive for them to eat at school every day.

"I've been paying £20 a week for my kids to eat school dinners, if you consider the increases and add up what that would cost over a year, it's enough to make anyone reconsider."

A mass exodus from the dinner hall to packed lunches would prove disasterous for the council, as the service relies on a certain number of pupils eating for the service to break even.

n Top 5 food increases

59% Orange Juice

44% on Cooking Oil prices

29% on Fresh Fruit & Vegetables

15% on Milk

19% on Bread