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HB 774

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school directors, further providing for school director training programs.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Missy Cerrato and 5 co-sponsors

HB 774 requires free breakfast for all public school students (preK–12) and adds a Farm‑to‑Table initiative to source locally, funded by available state/federal funds.

Referred to Education
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Bill Summary · HB 774

HB 774 — "School Breakfast for All" (First Reading passed)

Status: Passed 1st Reading
Introduced: (per file) Nov 12, 2024 — active in 2025 session
Primary topic: Universal school breakfast; farm-to-table initiative

Main purpose and intent

HB 774 establishes a statewide policy to provide breakfast at no cost to students in public schools (prekindergarten through grade 12) and creates a complementary Farm‑to‑Table initiative to encourage use of locally sourced foods in breakfasts. The bill aims to reduce child hunger, improve health and learning outcomes, and support local agricultural markets.

Key provisions

  • Universal breakfast

    • Creates a new statutory provision (G.S. 115C-263.5) directing the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), "to the extent funds are made available," to allocate funds so public schools can offer breakfast at no cost to students who elect to receive it (preK–12).
    • State and federal reimbursements for the program shall not exceed 100% of the federal free‑meal reimbursement rate. State funds must supplement — not supplant — federal funds.
    • Encourages schools to adopt flexible delivery models such as breakfast in the classroom, grab‑and‑go, and "second chance" breakfast.

  • Farm‑to‑Table initiative

    • Adds a new section (G.S. 115C-264.6) directing DPI to develop an initiative to incorporate locally sourced, fresh ingredients into the universal breakfast program.
    • Encourages school partnerships with local farmers/food producers and includes education about agriculture, nutrition, and sustainable food systems.

  • Reporting and oversight

    • DPI must report (no later than February 15 in years funds are provided) to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on participation rates, costs, and program effectiveness (impacts on student health, academics, attendance).

  • Statutory alignments and applicability

    • Amends existing school nutrition statutes (e.g., G.S. 115C‑263 and 115C‑264) to make universal breakfast part of school food authority responsibilities and reiterates that school nutrition programs operate on a nonprofit basis and use surpluses for program improvements.
    • Extends applicability to charter schools, regional schools, and laboratory schools by updating related statutes to require compliance with Part 2 of Article 17 (school nutrition).

Who is affected

  • Students in North Carolina public schools (preK–12) — increased access to free breakfast.
  • Local school administrative units and charter schools — program implementation, potential changes to service models and procurement.
  • Department of Public Instruction — program administration, reporting duties, and designing the Farm‑to‑Table initiative.
  • Local farmers and food suppliers — new procurement opportunities if schools adopt local sourcing.
  • State budget — potential new appropriation(s) required “to the extent funds are made available.”

Fiscal and operational considerations

  • Implementation depends on state appropriations and federal reimbursements; the bill does not specify a dedicated funding level.
  • DPI must ensure funds supplement, not supplant, federal meal funding; schools may need operational adjustments (staffing, procurement, service model changes).
  • Potential benefits include reduced absenteeism and longer‑term economic/health gains; costs include food, distribution, and program administration borne by state and local actors depending on appropriations.

Next procedural steps (as of provided status)

  • Referred to Education – K‑12 (and related appropriations committees) for consideration following first reading.
  • Further committee action, appropriation decisions, and implementation guidance from DPI will determine timeline and scope of rollout.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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