National supply-chain shortages have disrupted meal programs in schools, causing some schools to ask parents to pack food for their children.
Raw foods have been particularly affected by the shortages, according to Randy Jones, who helps coordinate food purchases for Wisconsin schools.
"It's impacting everything from food items, which are common, like, you have your beef, your chicken, and non-food items, such as serving trays and plastic ware, and things of that nature," Jones told Milwaukee's WISN 12.
The public school district in Menomonee Falls, Wis., sent parents a message warning them that "some food and/or beverage products normally provided to students may not be available or arrive as scheduled."
In Alexander City, Ala., parents were warned that their children could experience menu changes because of suppliers' shortages in food, drivers, and warehouse employees.
"If possible, we ask that you feed your student breakfast prior to school or try to send a snack," Alexander City Schools told parents. "This is a situation that is frustrating for you as a parent, and for us as well as our ability to feed our students is being greatly impacted."
The United States has seen massive shortages in recent weeks that have driven inflation, which spiked last month to a 13-year high. Oil and gas prices have surged to multi-year highs. Critics have blamed President Joe Biden for the rise in energy prices because of his executive actions to limit natural gas extraction.