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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-04-03

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill requires all North Carolina public schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student at no cost. The state would appropriate $144 million in recurring funds for the 2025-2026 school year to cover these meals, with the State Board of Education distributing funds to school districts based on factors like school size, student enrollment, and meal quality standards.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that universal free meals eliminate food insecurity and improve student nutrition, academic performance, and attendance.
• •They contend this reduces stigma associated with free/reduced lunch programs, ensures all students—regardless of family income—have access to healthy meals, and may reduce burden on families struggling with food costs.
• •Additionally, proponents point out that schools would still access federal nutrition program funding to supplement state allocations.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents raise concerns about the $144 million annual cost to state taxpayers and question whether this is the most efficient use of education funding given other school needs.
• •They argue the program benefits all students equally regardless of need rather than targeting assistance to low-income families, and worry about whether the appropriation will prove sufficient long-term or if schools will struggle with meal quality and variety under budget constraints.