Governor Cooper Announces $1.4 Million Funding for School Breakfast Programs

Why It Matters:

This funding initiative addresses the issue of child hunger and its impact on learning, highlighting the importance of providing nutritious meals to students. By implementing innovative school breakfast models, the program aims to improve attendance, discipline, and academic performance.

The Details:

• Governor Cooper is directing $1.4 million in federal funding to assist schools in expanding school breakfast programs.

• The funds will be used to provide grants to school districts and charter schools to implement innovative school breakfast models.

• The North Carolina Alliance for Health (NCAH) and the Carolina Hunger Initiative (CHI) are partnering with the Governor on this program.

• Grants of up to $50,000 per school nutrition program will be provided to implement models such as Breakfast in the Classroom, Second Chance Breakfast, and Grab and Go Breakfast.

• Priority for the grants will be given to the more than 600 schools offering free meals to all students through the federal Community Eligibility Provision program.

• NCAH and CHI will also offer technical assistance to grant recipients for effective implementation of school breakfast programs.

Conclusion:

This funding initiative addresses the vital connection between nutrition and education, aiming to improve student success by ensuring access to healthy meals. Governor Cooper's commitment to expanding school breakfast programs underscores the importance of supporting students' basic needs for optimal learning outcomes.