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Marianne Weant, Dr.Ph. In addition to my job at the North Carolina Alliance for Health, I’m also a mom of six kids, all of whom are in North Carolina public schools and regularly eat school meals. A couple of weeks ago, when Wake County Public Schools raised their...

Alecia Sanders, Project and Partnerships ManagerNorth Carolina Alliance for Health When we think about what helps students succeed in school, we often point to teachers, curriculum, or resources in the classroom. But there’s another group of professionals who shape...

The School Meals for All NC Leadership Team is deeply saddened by the passing of Chester Williams, founder and CEO of A Better Chance, A Better Community (ABC2), and a cherished leader, partner, and friend to our coalition. For the past three years, ABC2 has been a...

September 9, 2025 We expect children to sit still, focus, behave, and learn while their stomachs are growling. As adults, we know how hard it is to concentrate when we’re hungry, yet we expect children to do just that. Hunger impacts our emotions, concentration, and...

May 14, 2025 Katie Dawkins, NCAH Communications ManagerMay is National Mental Health Awareness Month  What if one of the most effective ways to support student mental health was already in the cafeteria? Access to nutritious food is essential for growing bodies—but...

From Abby Emanuelson, executive director of the NC Alliance for Health; part of the statewide, nonpartisan School Meals for All Coalition NC: “We are grateful to Governor Stein for making school meals a priority in his recommended budget. The $85 million allocated to...

January 28, 2025 The School Meals for All NC Coalition is working to ensure that every child in every public school in North Carolina has access to school meals at no cost to families.  The U.S. House of Representatives' Ways and Means Committee is proposing $3...

In the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastation across Western North Carolina, communities are coming together to ensure that families have access to the food they need. Donated supplies are pouring into the area and there are amazing stories of people, organizations,...

April 12, 2024 Marilou Smith is the Medication Access Specialist at Brunswick Senior Resources Inc. As an employee of Brunswick Senior Resources Inc. for over 12 years, I've witnessed firsthand the importance of promoting well-being and enhancing the quality of life...

Do you have a pair of sneakers and a sense of humor? Well, you're in luck because the SMFA Ambassadors are hosting a 5K Fun Run that promises to be a wild and wacky adventure! But it's not just about the fun; it's also about doing something fantastic for a cause close...

September 27, 2023 Katie Herndon Dawkins, North Carolina Alliance For Health Communications Manager On Tuesday, the USDA pushed out a press release titled, “USDA Expands Access to School Breakfast and Lunch for More Students.” The title is confusing and, frankly,...

August 15, 2023 Katie Herndon Dawkins, North Carolina Alliance For Health Communications Manager Right now, families in North Carolina are in full back-to-school mode. In some districts, students are reaping the benefits of no-cost school meals thanks to the Community...

August 15, 2023 Ray Russolillo, a retired CPA, wears several hats as a volunteer and social activist affiliated with the School Meals for All NC Coalition, MANNA FoodBank, MAZON – A Jewish Response to Hunger, and Carolina Jews for Justice. Does this sound like too...

July 26, 2023 Alecia Sanders, North Carolina Alliance for Health Partner Engagement Coordinator If you recall in this prior blog post, Morgan explained that the goal of the General Assembly was to have a budget to the Governor for approval by June 30; however, very...

July 17, 2023 By Carolina Hunger Initiative With all the great efforts to assure every child in North Carolina has access to nutritious school breakfasts and lunches, you may be wondering: What happens to the kids who rely on these meals for their daily nutrition when...

July 19, 2023 Toby Hedgepeth Mother, HR Consultant, Pastor I have experienced hunger before and understand the struggle of going without a meal. As a result of my childhood experiences, I am constantly aware that some children don't have access to a hot meal, and...

June 23, 2023 Katie Herndon Dawkins, North Carolina Alliance for Health Communications Manager Let’s talk breakfast! It’s been said to be the most important meal of the day and I agree. I can’t even start focusing on work until I’ve had breakfast. It’s also incredibly...

June 22, 2023 By Shannon Aiken, Jennifer Hickey, Edie Lindley Master of Social Work Student, UNCW In the field of social work, we answer the call to dismantle injustice and pursue social change. We have been moved to accomplish this as Master of Social Work students...

May 24, 2023 Katie Herndon Dawkins, North Carolina Alliance for Health Communications Manager Some things just make sense. Putting kids first is one of those things. We all have a role to play in helping kids succeed. Ensuring students have access to school meals at...

May 12, 2023 Dr. Ruth Gilliam Phillips Executive Director, Community Health Coalition Though I am not a native of North Carolina, I am someone who benefited from having school meals every day! If it were not for the school programs that provided meals at school, that...

May 2, 2023 Katie Herndon Dawkins, North Carolina Alliance for Health Communications Manager Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear aprons! School nutrition professionals are true heroes to students, teachers, and families. They rarely get the credit and thanks they...

EMarch 16, 2023 Alecia Sanders, North Carolina Alliance for Health Partner Engagement Coordinator   In case you missed it, Day of Action on Thursday, March 9, was a huge success! THANK YOU to everyone who participated in any way! You can see a summary of actions...

March 14, 2023 Ryan Mitchell knows that school meals for all can help students realize their potential. He is able to see how important school meals are to his second graders in Henderson County schools and believes all students in North Carolina should get the...

March 14, 2023 Leah Carper will never forget the shame and embarrassment she felt when a high schooler called her out for not being able to afford a school meal. But she was rescued by a caring school nutrition professional and she will never forget that act of...

March 4, 2023 Alecia Sanders, North Carolina Alliance for Health Partner Engagement Coordinator We are counting down the days until the Day of Action! We can build strong, resilient communities by making no-cost school meals available to all students. Join us...

October 6, 2022 Katie Herndon Dawkins, North Carolina Alliance for Health Communications Manager For what it’s worth (FWIW), we believe that school meals are one of the most essential parts of the school day and that every child in every public school in the state...

September 22, 2023 Katie Herndon Dawkins, North Carolina Alliance for Health Communications Manager For what it’s worth (FWIW), we believe that school meals are one of the most essential parts of the school day and that every child in every public school in the state...

September 15, 2023 Katie Herndon Dawkins, North Carolina Alliance for Health Communications Manager For what it’s worth (FWIW), we believe that school meals are one of the most essential parts of the school day and that every child in every public school in the state...

September 6, 2023 Updated November 8, 2023 Katie Herndon Dawkins, North Carolina Alliance for Health Communications Manager For what it’s worth (FWIW), we believe that school meals are one of the most essential parts of the school day and that every child in every...

September 1, 2022 Updated November 8, 2023 Katie Herndon Dawkins, North Carolina Alliance for Health Communications Manager For what it’s worth (FWIW), we believe that school meals are one of the most essential parts of the school day and that every child in every...