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The city of Albuquerque raised breakfast prices at senior centers this week, drawing criticism from elders.

Menus officially changed Monday, with prices for some items jumping from $1.50 to a high of $5.

While the change may seem negligible to working adults, seniors on fixed incomes say they rely on the centers, which serve meals at a reduced price for those 50 and older, as the cost of living skyrockets around them.

鈥淭he pancake used to be a quarter, and I鈥檝e still seen people here counting change at the counter,鈥� said Glenn Karns, who ate breakfast at Los Volcanes Senior Center on Tuesday.

Karns fears that with the price increases, some low-income seniors will skip meals and go hungry.

Meanwhile, city officials justified the change as a necessary step to keep up with inflation and rising food prices.

鈥淭he current cost to prepare a breakfast meal is approximately $6.44, while members pay between $3 and $4,鈥� said Senior Affairs spokesperson Beth Delaune in a statement Tuesday. 鈥�(The department) continues to subsidize the program because we believe it provides an affordable opportunity for older adults to gather, socialize and stay connected to their community.鈥�

Just like restaurants have struggled with rising food prices nationwide, so has Albuquerque鈥檚 public food program. In the past five years, prices for breakfast items like orange juice, hash browns and eggs have increased between 55% and 68%, Delaune said.

However, despite changes to breakfast, Albuquerque senior centers will continue to serve lunch free of charge for those 60 and older.

Budget woes

The change comes after a tight budgeting season at City Hall, with cuts across departments. Many seniors, however, feel their nutrition is the wrong place to pinch pennies.

鈥淲hen we need them most, they stop helping,鈥� said Julio Campos, a regular attendee, while passing by to refill a cup of coffee.

On the second day of the price hike, dozens lined up for servings of huevos rancheros, breakfast burritos and hot coffee. Though the line to order was long, the room wasn鈥檛 quite as packed as usual, some seniors said.

Most blamed the price change.

鈥淚t鈥檚 more than just food,鈥� said Paula Narvaiz as she poured black coffee into a paper cup.

For some seniors, these cheap meals are a lifeline, not just for nutrition but for their spirits.

鈥淚t鈥檚 about giving people something to look forward to and get up in the morning,鈥� she said. 鈥淲ithout that, they鈥檙e just wasting away at home. That鈥檚 the hardest part.鈥�

Beyond pricing, seniors were concerned about more barebones menus that eliminated cheap options like oatmeal and 脿 la carte items. This decision not only impacts low-income seniors but those with dietary restrictions as well, said attendee Sarah Rahman.

鈥淚 have gone all day without eating before,鈥� said Rahman, who cannot eat pork and must sometimes skip meals she usually receives at the center.

Simplifying the menu was also a fiscal decision, Delaune said, which is expected to reduce waste and save money.

Over breakfast, while sipping coffee and spearing potato wedges with forks, many seniors hoped the city would reconsider the changes or, at the least, bring back cheaper menu items like oatmeal to bridge the gap.

鈥淏oy, they keep trying to compare this to a restaurant when this is all taxpayer-funded,鈥� Karns said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not a business.鈥�

Gillian Barkhurst is a general assignment reporter for the Journal. She can be reached at gbarkhurst@abqjournal.com.