Epping parents told there’s no free lunch

School officials are serving a warning to parents who repeatedly fail to pay for their students’ school lunches: Pay up or face action by the school.

Collecting money for unpaid lunches isn’t a widespread problem, but officials say the small percentage who ignore the rules are costing taxpayers and creating headaches for food service workers struggling to keep their budgets in the black amid rising food costs.

“We’re not talking about the entire Epping population. We’re talking about a few parents who at times take advantage of the system,” Superintendent Barbara Munsey said.

Students haven’t been turned away when they show up in line with no money, but the school board adopted a policy last year in an attempt to crack down on the problem.

Read the full story from Jason Schreiber