The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) Office of School Nutrition and the Carolina Hunger Initiative recently recognized North Carolina Summer Nutrition Champions for their efforts with NC SUN Meal Programs last summer. Over 850,000 North Carolina K-12 public school students rely on the nutritious meals and snacks served during the school year through the school breakfast, school lunch and afterschool meals programs. NC SUN Meal Program sponsors provide nutritious meals and educational enrichment to youth ages 18 and under when school is out.
N.C. Summer Nutrition Programs, SUN Meals and SUN Meals To-Go, are administered by the NCDPI Office of School Nutrition, with federal assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). NCDPI collaborates with public school units, charter and non-public schools, public and private nonprofit organizations and other community partners to serve as program sponsors. Sponsors are eligible to receive federal reimbursement for all qualifying meals and snacks served to children.
Congregate SUN Meals are in-person meals eaten in a group setting. Meals or snacks are served at locations such as public housing centers, faith-based organizations, libraries, parks, camps, medical centers or schools. In addition to meals, sites can offer fun, engaging educational activities. SUN Meals To-Go are non-congregate meals offered for pick-up or delivery in some rural communities where transportation to summer meal sites can be difficult.
Going the Distance and Rural Non-Congregate awards were given to programs whose sponsors utilized innovative strategies to increase participation. Superior Sites were awarded for going above and beyond to gain or maintain participation by youth.
Going the Distance in Innovation Award
- Boys & Girls Club of the Coastal Plain
- Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina
- Lexington City Schools
Superior Site Award
- Beaufort County Schools (Honorable Mention)
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
- Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina
- Johnston County Public Schools
- Pender County Schools (Honorable Mention)
- Transylvania County Schools
- YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina
Rural Non-Congregate Innovation Award
- Beaufort County Schools
- Cumberland County Schools
- Edgecombe County Public Schools
- Hickory City Schools
- Pitt County Schools
- Public Schools of Robeson County
- TCK Providence/Second Harvest Food Bank
- YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina
- Johnston County Schools (Honorable Mention)
- Tyrell County Schools (Honorable Mention)
Both the 2025 NC Summer Nutrition Champions and 2024 Turnip the Beet awardees were recognized at SummerPalooza Summits across the state. North Carolina awardees received a certificate and banner to proudly display and recognize their efforts.
Turnip the Beet Applications Due This Week
Applications for the 2025 Turnip the Beet Awards are due to NCDPI by Friday, Jan. 9. Award info, the nomination packet, tips and resources are available on the USDA website. Completed applications should be submitted to summernutritionprogram@dpi.nc.gov.
These awards are presented annually by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to Summer Nutrition Program sponsors that go above and beyond to serve appealing, nutritious meals and offer educational enrichment to youth when school is out. Seven NC sponsors received awards for their efforts in 2024.
Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards
Additionally, 14 North Carolina public school units were recently recognized by the USDA and Action for Healthy Kids with Healthy Meals Incentives (HMI) Recognition Awards. The HMI awardees have made operational changes to improve the nutritional quality of their school meals and engage students and families in nutrition education and in the planning and preparation of nutritious school meals.
The Trailblazer Award series highlights school districts paving the path with gradual changes in school menus to be consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, specifically for reducing sodium in school lunch and added sugars in school breakfast. The Innovation Award series highlights unique and innovative approaches not traditionally used in schools, as well as achievements school districts are making to engage students and families to offer nutritious meals. These school districts are working toward exceeding the school nutrition standards.
Breakfast Trailblazer
- Catawba County Schools
Innovation in Nutrition Education
- Bertie County Schools
- Buncombe County Schools
- Haywood County Schools
- Jackson County Schools
- New Hanover County Schools
- Pitt County Schools
Innovation in the Preparation of School Meals
- Craven County Schools
- Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools
- Elkin City Schools
- Graham County Schools
- Hoke County Schools
- Yadkin County Schools
Small and/or Rural Lunch Trailblazer
- Beaufort County Schools
The NCDPI Office of School Nutrition is the state agency in North Carolina responsible for administering the School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Special Milk Program, After School Snack Program and Summer Nutrition (SUN Meal) Programs, with federal assistance from the USDA. Additional information regarding School and Summer Nutrition Programs in North Carolina can be found at https://go.ncdpi.gov/ncschoolmeals.