Melissa Needham

Others cannot help but raise an eyebrow when I tell them that, not only did I thoroughly enjoy teaching 7th grade, but my favorite class to teach - 4th period - included a 25-minute lunch break in the middle of the class period. Although the unpadded circular seats took some time getting used to, I cherished the opportunity to build bonds with my students each day. It was during lunchtime, however, that I noticed the impact that a missed meal has on a student. 

While most students eagerly awaited the trek towards the cafeteria, those unable to afford their meals slouched in their seats. The scents that wafted through the hallway served as a stark reminder that they lacked enough lunch money to pacify their hunger. Without a meal, some struggled to remain engaged and awake in class. Others grew irritable as the day wore on, making it increasingly challenging to maintain positive interactions with their peers and teachers. For some, respite from the hunger pangs remained out of reach at home. Day after day, the effects of a persistently hungry student’s missed meals compounded: attendance dropped, grades fell, physical and emotional health declined.

I believe North Carolina has a moral obligation to provide no-cost school meals for all students. By doing so, we can address the pervasive issue of childhood hunger and take a significant step towards creating a brighter future for our state's youth.

North Carolina is currently wrestling with an alarming reality: thousands of children go to bed hungry each night, leaving them at a severe disadvantage to thrive academically and emotionally. Providing school meals for all students at no cost to their families during school hours ensures that no child faces the burden of hunger, creating a level playing field where they can focus on their education without the gnawing pangs of an empty stomach.

By making school meals available to students at no cost to their families, we eliminate the stigma associated with receiving free school meals.  Some children choose to not eat at school so that their friends won’t know they qualify for free school meals. Some families are hesitant to even fill out the school meal paperwork due to shame or fear of judgment. Creating a universally no-cost meal program erases this distinction and fosters an environment where all students are treated equally, reinforcing a sense of belonging and self-worth. It promotes a culture of inclusivity and encourages students to embrace their full potential, unimpeded by hunger or the fear of being labeled. 

Numerous studies have demonstrated the significant correlation between proper nutrition and academic success. Hungry children struggle to concentrate, experience reduced cognitive abilities, and exhibit poorer overall performance. By ensuring that all students have access to nutritious meals, we provide them with the fuel they need to excel academically, enabling them to reach their full potential. Moreover, a strong educational foundation equips these students with the tools necessary for a successful future, benefitting both themselves and society as a whole.
North Carolina has the power to transform the lives of its students by ensuring that no child goes hungry during school hours. By implementing a policy of school meals for all students at no cost to their families, we can tackle childhood hunger, eliminate stigma, enhance academic performance, promote health and well-being, and reap long-term economic and societal benefits. Let us seize this opportunity to provide a brighter future for North Carolina children, cultivating a generation that is well-nourished, empowered, and ready to lead North Carolina into a prosperous tomorrow. Together, we can make a difference that will resonate for years to come.

Melissa Needham is a former teacher living in Fayetteville.