North Carolina Child Hunger Advocates Address Impending SNAP Reductions

Child hunger advocates gathered in Asheville to address the impact of upcoming SNAP cuts on North Carolina children, focusing on school meals, community food programs, and strategies to ensure access to nutritious food amid federal policy changes.

Child hunger advocates from across North Carolina convened in Asheville this week for the annual conference hosted by the Carolina Hunger Initiative (CHI). The gathering brought together representatives from school nutrition departments, food banks, faith-based organizations, and state agencies to address the pressing issue of child food insecurity and the anticipated effects of federal policy changes.

Conference Objectives and Key Discussions

Lou Anne Crumpler, director of CHI, highlighted the collective commitment of attendees to guarantee access to nutritious food for all children, irrespective of circumstances. While multiple facets of school nutrition programs were discussed, the focus remained on the potential consequences of reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The federal budget reconciliation legislation signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2025 included substantial cuts to SNAP, prompting concern among participants regarding the program’s future role in mitigating child hunger and supporting community stability.

Emphasis on Western North Carolina

This year’s conference was held in western North Carolina for the first time, aligning with a new CHI initiative funded by Dogwood Health Trust to examine child hunger and recovery strategies following Hurricane Helene. Jehan Benton-Clark of Dogwood Health Trust outlined regional challenges, including workforce shortages, market instability, and uncertain public funding, while emphasizing the resilience of local communities in responding to crises.

Preparing for SNAP Reductions

Over 1.4 million North Carolinians, including roughly 600,000 children, depend on SNAP benefits each month. SNAP plays a critical role in sustaining local economies, particularly in rural areas, generating $4.2 billion annually from $2.8 billion in federal funding. The federal H.R. 1 legislation reduces SNAP funding by $186 billion through 2034, representing the largest cut in the program’s history. Kate Hanson, executive director of Meals4Families, stressed that SNAP underpins rural grocery stores and overall food access. The upcoming fiscal changes, including higher state administrative costs and additional cost-sharing for payment errors, could reach $420 million annually, potentially decreasing or terminating SNAP benefits for numerous households.

State Leadership Response

Governor Josh Stein called for delaying H.R. 1 implementation to fiscal year 2030 to provide states and counties sufficient time to manage SNAP payment errors and maintain benefit continuity. Attorney General Jeff Jackson recognized the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services staff for sustaining benefits during a federal government shutdown, awarding them the Dogwood Award for their efforts.

Impact on School Meal Programs

Reductions in SNAP directly affect school meal programs by decreasing eligibility for free meals through direct certification. Rachel Findley of NC DPI explained that lower SNAP participation diminishes eligibility for both free school meals and the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows schools to provide meals to all students without applications. Reduced eligibility threatens meal access and complicates administrative processes for school nutrition programs.

School Meals for All Initiative

The School Meals for All NC coalition, supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, promotes universal free breakfast and lunch in public schools. The coalition emphasizes benefits related to student health, learning outcomes, and social equity. Teacher Chanel Jones highlighted the classroom impacts of hunger and the importance of ensuring all students receive meals regardless of economic status.

Post-Hurricane Helene Recovery

Hurricane Helene in 2024 caused widespread disruption in western North Carolina, affecting food distribution networks and infrastructure. MANNA FoodBank experienced losses of warehouses and equipment, prompting local and national donation efforts. Recovery efforts have restored freezer and cooler capacity nearly 500 days after the storm, enabling continued food assistance in affected communities.

Farm to School Programs

The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) connects local farmers with schools to supply fresh foods and provide educational opportunities. Hickory Nut Gap Farms contributes up to 8,000 pounds of meat monthly and hosts student field trips. Advocates emphasize the necessity of consistent funding, local food infrastructure, and farmland preservation to sustain these programs and ensure long-term access to nutritious foods for students.

Expansion of Summer Meal Programs

Summer meal initiatives are vital for children when school is not in session. In 2025, North Carolina served 5.3 million meals to children under 18. Non-congregate SUN Meals To-Go programs allow children to take meals off-site, enhancing accessibility in rural areas. Sponsors, including Hickory City Schools and Second Harvest Food Bank, expanded outreach, serving thousands of children daily and distributing over 54,000 meals through SUN Meals To-Go alone.

Conclusion

The conference highlighted the complex challenges posed by SNAP reductions, school meal accessibility, disaster recovery, and local food systems. Leaders emphasized the urgent need to sustain federal and state support for child nutrition programs while reinforcing community-based initiatives, ensuring that all children in North Carolina maintain access to adequate and nutritious food.

Sources:

• As SNAP cuts loom, NC child hunger leaders call for strengthening school meals - EdNC
• North Carolina Child Hunger Leaders Discuss Looming SNAP Cuts - Yahoo News
• Education, advocacy groups gather for annual NC Child Hunger Leaders Conference - WLOS
• North Carolina Child Hunger Leaders Discuss Looming SNAP Cuts

Author: Maya Henderson
Maya Henderson is a journalist focused on technology and startups. She has experience in leading IT publications and excels at conducting interviews and creating visual content.