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It's a dollar and some change, but for some parents, that's too much. Across the country, some parents are now struggling to pay for their children's school lunches, leaving many school districts with a tough decision to make.

In Georgia, the Brantley County school district is $20,000 in debt. School officials say they're turning the debts over to a collection agency. Parents tell News 4 in Jacksonville, Florida they're conflicted about the decision.

"If they can't afford it, I mean they can't afford it. I wouldn't think so to force them, you know."
"I think parents should be responsible. I pay for my kids' lunch, why shouldn't everybody else."

Federal regulations require that school nutrition programs have no debt. Brantley County's school nutrition director says — if parents really can't pay — all they have to do is call. 

"If the parents have contacted us, given us the information, and they want to set up a way of paying off that we won't turn it over to the collection agency we'll work with any family that wants to be worked with."

Georgia school districts aren't the only schools struggling with lunch debt. In Oregon, KMTR reports a Springfield school district had a policy for unpaid bills but became more lenient in this economy. When their debt increased to $16,000, they implemented a new policy.

"The school district, in Springfield, is now using an online payment system called mylunchmoney.com. It is up and running. Using the site parents will be able to monitor when their child is getting a meal, what their account balances are and they can pay for lunches on the site with a debit or credit card."

The district has raised about 20 percent of their debt and hopes it will increase throughout the school year.

Other schools in New Mexico use alternative lunches. After a certain number of unpaid lunches, children are given a cheese or peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a beverage until their accounts are clear. School officials tell Jacksonville.com the alternative lunches work.
 
"A child might forget a letter stuffed down in their bookbag, but they'll remember a cheese sandwich. I think the cheese sandwiches spark memories in parents that encourage them to pay because you get tired of eating the same thing every day."

So what do you think?  Is there no such thing as a free lunch — even for kids?  Or should school districts find another way to pay?

Writer: Veronica Wells