The cost of providing a meal to Chattooga County inmates will increase in 2013, according to bids submitted Wednesday.

The cost of providing inmates two meals a day will jump almost 27 percent, according to bids submitted to the commissioner’s office.

The low bidder and also the current provider, is Pop’s Place. Owner James McNew submitted a bid of $6.96 per inmate, per day.

It’s a year-long contract.

“We wished the price would have been lower,” Commissioner Jason Winters said. “We will most likely go with the low bid.”

Currently Pop’s Place is providing the meals at $5.49 per inmate.

The only other bid came from Bonnie’s Family Restaurant, 7807 Hwy. 48, Menlo. Bonnie’s bid was for $7.70 per inmate, per day.

Although Winters wanted a lower bid, he says he understands that the cost of food continues to increase and preparing two meals a day for a year is a big commitment.