In recognition of National Minority Health Month, The Center for Black Health & Equity (The Center), a leading organization in the statewide School Meals for All NC (SMFANC) Coalition, hosted the first Community Advocacy meeting of 2026 on April 7.
The Center, alongside SMFANC coalition leadership organizations, community members, and hundreds of partners across North Carolina, is advancing efforts to improve student health outcomes and reduce food insecurity through access to school meals.
April is National Minority Health Month, an observance used to underscore the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minority communities and reducing health disparities. In NC, students of marginalized communities are often the ones to experience food insecurity.
Evidence supports that school meals improve students’ mental and physical health. “By removing the financial and bureaucratic barriers to school meals,” said Delmonte Jefferson, Executive Director, “we provide an equitable launchpad for students to thrive in and out of the classroom, regardless of household income or zip code.”
This virtual community advocacy meeting marks an important opportunity to spotlight the growing movement to address the reality of food insecurity in North Carolina.
Formerly known as “Strategy Sessions with Champions,” the SMFANC Community Advocacy Meetings are designed for individuals passionate about community-driven change. Participants will:
- Receive updates on the School Meals for All NC campaign
- Hear from community organizers across the state
- Learn how to craft and deliver effective advocacy messages
- Build skills to support collective impact efforts
In the coming sessions, attendees will also participate in an interactive session focused on developing and practicing personal “elevator pitches” to effectively advocate for policies that support student nutrition and health equity.
Where can I register for the virtual SMFANC Community Advocacy Meetings?
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/xKuLhMmrTpORvpR_Drn3Sg#/registration
Where can I sign up to officially become a SMFANC Champion?
All supporters of SMFA NC interested in becoming a SMFANC Champions can sign up at https://schoolmealsforallnc.org/become-a-champion/ to learn more.
We are happy to share three SMFANC Champion stories:
Leah Carper’s story highlighted in the SMFA NC Blog
Jannet Barnes’ story published in Greensboro’s News & Record
Elder Conrad Pridgen’s story published in Asheville’s Mountain Xpress
