Free and reduced-price school meals are vital for low-income families. (Photo: AdobeStock)
Anti-hunger advocates highlighted a new report Tuesday showing how rising food costs are straining families in North Carolina and across the country. Non-profit group No Kid Hungry said its research shows how vital free and reduced-price school meals are as students settle into the fall semester.
The 2025 Back to School Report, released earlier this month, surveyed more than 1,200 parents and caregivers whose children rely on school meals. It found that 41% of parents said their financial situation is worse than a year ago, while nearly 70% said inflation has made it harder to buy the groceries they need.
“We wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the hopes and concerns of parents and caregivers about the upcoming school year, and to better understand the vital role that school meals play for kids and families, both inside and outside of the classroom,” said Corey Filiault, who oversaw the research.
In North Carolina, close to 60% of students in traditional public schools qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. With many households juggling rent, utilities and transportation costs alongside food, advocates say federal nutrition programs provide critical stability.
A mother of five from North Carolina told researchers that soaring grocery and gas prices forced her to cut back on essentials. “It’s just certain things that we really cut back on doing. You just gotta know what you can actually go without and still be okay,” she said in the report.
Nationally, more than one in three parents said they worried about running out of food over the summer, when school cafeterias are closed. Two out of three parents expect food prices to rise further this year.
The report also found that 83% of parents said their children struggle to concentrate when hungry, and 88% said school meals help them do better in school. Beyond the classroom, two out of three parents said school meals reduce family stress, easing household finances and improving overall well-being.
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