Carolina Hunger Initiative - Carolina Hunger Initiative

NC 2025 SUN Bucks Poster Contest Winners!

Elementary School Winner: Amelia Wu

Highcroft Drive Elementary, Cary, NC

Wake County Public Schools

Middle School Winner: Marian Leverette

North Davidson Middle School, Lexington, NC

Davidson County Schools

High School Winner: Jadyn Chisholm

Aspire Trade High School, Huntersville, NC

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Congratulations to the winners of the NC 2025 SUN Bucks Poster Contest! There were more than 140 submissions of impressive artwork, and we thank every participant for entering the contest.

SUN Bucks is a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that provides grocery-buying benefits in a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child on a debit-like card that can be used to buy nutritious food during the summer months when schools are out. Please visit North Carolina’s SUN Bucks website at ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks for more information.

WHAT’S NEW

SUN BUCKS Information for Educators: Check out our SUN Bucks page to learn more about the program, view a recent webinar recording, and find out how you can help. Learn More.

HELPING COLLEGE STUDENTS FIND FOOD BENEFITS: More than 22% of college students experience food insecurity. That’s why the Carolina Hunger Initiative launched NC College Food Benefits, a new SNAP Outreach campaign focused specifically on North Carolina college students. Learn more.

STATEMENT on NC Governor’s Budget Funding Critical Nutrition Programs. Read here.

Nutrition Education Materials

Carolina Hunger Initiative’s nutrition education tools are a robust and growing resource for children, families, teachers, and nutrition professionals.

School Meals for All NC

We believe every child in every public school in North Carolina should have access to breakfast and lunch at no cost to their families. Join us.

NC Local Nutrition Profiles

These profiles provide a snapshot of the successes and opportunities in the school breakfast, school lunch, and summer nutrition programs for your local school district or county.

ABOUT CAROLINA HUNGER INITIATIVE

Based at the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (UNC HPDP), the Carolina Hunger Initiative partners with school systems, state agencies, community organizations, local businesses, and more to expand access to healthy meals year-round for North Carolinians.

We use programming, applied research, and compelling communications to support policy, systems, and environmental changes to more readily connect people with the food they need. Carolina Hunger Initiative welcomes and embraces ideas for the tough challenges we face now and tomorrow. Our goal is to incubate sustainable solutions for expanding equitable food access.

Learn more about our team, our work, and the latest news, or contact us.

OUR PARTNERS

Carolina Hunger Initiative is a project at the University of North Carolina working in collaboration with No Kid Hungry North Carolina, part of Share Our Strength’s national No Kid Hungry Campaign.