As students go back to school, many face a lunch bill for the first time in 2 years

Students eat lunch at Albert D. Lawton Intermediate School in Essex Junction, Vt., on June 9. The pandemic-era federal aid that made school meals available for free to all public school students — regardless of family income levels — is ending, raising fears about the effects in the upcoming school year for families already struggling with rising food and fuel costs. (Lisa Rathke/AP)

BOISE, Idaho — Lunchtime on the first day of school at Mountain View Elementary earlier this month brought the familiar bustle of students scurrying to find their assigned table in the cafeteria while administrators checked trays and lunch bags to make sure everyone had something to eat.

Many brought their own sack lunches this school year, because unlike the last two, not every child is eligible for free meals provided by the school.