North Carolina public school students who rely on federally-funded School Nutrition Programs during the school year can now “Meet Up to Eat Up” thanks to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) School Nutrition Services’ Summer Nutrition Programs.

Summer Nutrition Program sites are up and running across the state to help bridge the school meals gap until the start of school in the fall. Last year, nearly one million low-income North Carolina students received meals during the school year, but less than 20 percent of those students received meals or snacks at approved summer meal sites in their neighborhoods.

“Child hunger is a statewide issue,” said NCDPI School Nutrition Services Section Chief Lynn Harvey. “North Carolina is fortunate to have a strong partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture that enables us to provide Summer Nutrition Program meal sites for children in all areas of our state.”

NCDPI Summer Nutrition Programs Manager Cynthia Ervin agreed with Harvey adding, “By supporting programs that provide balanced meals throughout the summer, we are helping to keep North Carolina’s children on the path to success. Proper nutrition promotes optimal growth and development in children and therefore plays an important role in improving education outcomes.”

Summer Nutrition Programs are administered by NCDPI School Nutrition Services with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Summer Nutrition Programs serve nutritious meals to children up to age 18 living in low-income areas (where 50 percent or more of the students qualify for free or reduced price school meals). The program may operate in schools, public housing centers, playgrounds, camps, parks, faith-based facilities, and other sites where students gather during the summer months. Meals are served to eligible children at no cost and registration is not required.

The state’s Summer Nutrition Programs span nearly every county. Currently, 174 sponsors have been approved to offer summer meals at 3,221 sites with additional sites added daily.

In stressing the importance of Summer Nutrition programs for children, Harvey said, “Too many families across North Carolina are struggling, and we can’t have children going hungry in the summer when programs like these are available. Making families aware of available sites for summer meals is vital to keeping kids well-nourished, healthy and ready-to-learn.”

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services provides the Summer Nutrition Programs Site Locator Map, which allows families to identify the nearest site for summer meals, including information about locations, meal types, times and driving directions. Families also can call 1-866-348-6479 for English or 1-877-842-6273 for Spanish to access this information.

Additionally, No Kid Hungry NC, a Summer Nutrition Program partner, is sponsoring a text message resource. Mobile phone users may text “FoodNC” to 877-877 and receive the most up-to-date site location information. (Standard text messaging rates apply.) On social media, families can follow #NCSummerMeals for updates.

Citizens and organizations interested in more information about getting involved as a site, activity provider or volunteer should contact NCDPI Summer Nutrition Programs Manager Cynthia Ervin.

USDA and NCDPI are equal opportunity providers and employers. Additional information regarding School Nutrition Programs in North Carolina can be found on the School Nutrition Services website.

North Carolina’s so called “brunch bill”, which essentially allows alcohol sales two hours earlier on Sunday mornings (10am instead of the current 12pm), is now one step closer to becoming law.

The Senate passed the new bill with a vote of 37 to 9 with 1 democrat and 8 republicans voting against it. The newly ratified bill was presented to the governor and is now expected to receive his signature and become law within the next couple days – as soon as it is signed, it becomes law across the state (which could happen today).

Local municipalities will still have to agree to the earlier hours, but Charlotte officials have already stated that they support the bill and will allow all restaurants and grocery stores in our city to sell alcohol at the earlier time on Sunday mornings.

If you’d like to drink a mimosa this coming Sunday morning at 10am, you can call Governor Cooper today and tell him to sign Senate Bill 155, his phone number is (919) 814-2000.

The NC House has just approved their version of ‘Senate Bill 155‘ (the “brunch bill”), which effectively allows the sale of beer, wine, and liquor before noon on Sundays (which has always been illegal in our state).

The House’s expanded version would also allow Sunday morning alcohol sales in grocery stores in addition to restaurants.

Local counties and cities will still have the ability to decide if they want to allow alcohol sales starting at 10am instead of 12pm on Sunday mornings.

Dr. Mark Creech with the Christian Action League of North Carolina continues to stand strongly against the bill, “The reason the current law has existed for many years – prohibiting alcohol sales until after the noon hour – has largely been out of deference and respect for churches. SB 155 begs the question: Where is this respect now? Why is this respect now being withdrawn?…Can’t we wait until the preacher ends the benediction before we belly-back-up to the bar?”

The updated bill now goes back to the NC Senate for approval, it would then move on to the Governor’s desk for his final signature.

What are your thoughts on the new bill? Do you think alcohol sales should be allowed before noon on Sundays?