North Carolina announces $1.3M in grant funding to expand school breakfast

North Carolina students will have better access to school breakfast, thanks to new grant funding from the state.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced $1.3 million in grant funding late last month to 42 public school districts and charter schools in the state. Funding for the grants came from federal funds directed by the governor last October.

Grant recipients will use the funding to implement alternative school breakfast models such as breakfast in the classroom, second chance breakfast and grab-and-go breakfast.

Each of the recipients participates in the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) which allows schools in low-income areas to feed all students breakfast and lunch for free.

The state estimates that the grants will allow over 51,000 students across North Carolina to have better access to the morning meal.

“Our public schools not only provide safe places for children to learn, but also healthy meals for students who sometimes face food insecurity at home,” Cooper said in a statement. “These grants will help more public schools provide breakfast for children in the classroom so they can start their day ready to learn and be successful.”