RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Cuts to SNAP benefits and food assistance could leave some students hungry in North Carolina.

When families have SNAP benefits, their children are automatically eligible for free or reduced-price meals in school. But with cuts expected to the SNAP program in 2026, that automatic eligibility could disappear for students in North Carolina.

“Meaning more paperwork, potentially not being qualified any longer for those meals,” Amy Beros, the president and CEO of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, said.

So there’s a push from food bank leaders for the North Carolina General Assembly to step in and fund food assistance programs in the state. In their most recent mini budget, the General Assembly did fund $3 million recurring each year for copays that di

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