Delayed funding halts state’s takehome meal program

Delayed state funding has halted a child-nutrition program in North Carolina, reports the fayobserver.com.

The Backpack Buddies program—which provides hundreds of students with food to take home on weekends—typically starts distributing food to schools in October, but has yet to do so, according to officials.

Jim Thomas, director of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeastern North Carolina—a major supporter of the food provided to schools—said the startup was delayed because of North Carolina’s delay in adopting a budget and allocating the funds.

"The moment we're approved, we'll place an order and then I assume it will take a week-and-a-half turnaround to get the food and deliver it," he said.

Check out the full story via the fayobserver.com.