FEBRUARY 26, 2026 – To comply with federal law, school meals will increase by 25 cents at Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools outside the continental United States (OCONUS) for the 2026-27 school year.
The lunch price for elementary (grades UPK-five) and secondary (grades six-12) students’ meals will be $3.75 and $4, respectively. Breakfast for all (grades K-12) will be $2.25. Per federal guidelines, families who qualify for free meals receive lunch and breakfast at no cost, and families who qualify for reduced meals will still pay $0.40 per lunch and $0.30 for breakfast.
Each year, the USDA requires DoDEA schools to compare costs for a paid student lunch to the difference between two federal reimbursement rates: the free meal rate and the paid meal rate. If the current price is too low compared to that difference, the USDA requires school meal prices to be adjusted to achieve parity. The 25-cent increase for paid lunches at DoDEA school overseas keeps the program fully compliant with federal guidelines.
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s school meal program has provided meals to Warfighters’ children since 1957 at OCONUS DoDEA schools. Last year, the Exchange provided 3.6 million meals at more than 70 schools in Europe and the Pacific. The Exchange provides school lunches as a service to the military community, pricing each lunch, on average, approximately $2 below the actual cost of $5.50 per plate. DoDEA and USDA reimburse the Exchange for direct costs not recouped by sales.
Student menus are set by the Exchange’s registered dietitian in accordance with current USDA guidelines and are based on recommended Dietary Guidelines. All school lunch menus meet or exceed nutrient standards based on grade level for calories, sodium, sugar and fat.
For more information on the Exchange’s school meal program, visit http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/school-lunch-program.
Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service has gone where Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 51st-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, your Exchange benefit has provided $15 billion in earnings that support the military community, including through contributions to critical military Quality-of-Life programs. The Exchange is a nonappropriated fund entity of the Department of War and is directed by a Board of Directors. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on X at https://x.com/shopmyexchange.
Follow the Exchange: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopmyexchange/
Story by Chris Ward
Army & Air Force Exchange Service HQ