As chair of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners, I have an abiding interest in securing the present and future success of our workforce and community in general.
That’s why I want to thank Rep. Brian Biggs for sponsoring legislation that will clear away a knot of red tape for our working families, support our agricultural heritage and ensure our children are well positioned to learn, achieve and eventually contribute to our economy. A stronger, better-fed student body today leads to a more competitive and capable workforce tomorrow.
North Carolina House Bill 774, School Breakfast for All, takes a practical approach to a very real issue. Every day, thousands of North Carolina students arrive at school without having eaten breakfast. Statewide, one in five children faces food insecurity — and in some rural areas, it’s closer to one in three.
Too often, the first and only real meal a child gets in a day is the one they receive at school. When a child is hungry, it’s harder for them to concentrate, to behave and to learn. And when kids fall behind early, they’re more likely to need costly interventions down the road, placing added strain on families and the system alike. Giving them a strong start now helps reduce long-term dependency.
H.B. 774 would ensure that every student in North Carolina public schools — from pre-K through 12th grade — has access to a nutritious breakfast at no cost to their families, without creating the hoops many families have to jump through to receive meal assistance.
This not a luxury. It’s a foundational need. It’s also a smart investment in academic outcomes and classroom environments. Well-fed students perform better, miss fewer days of school and are less likely to act out in class. Our local taxpayers already invest millions in public education. But if students are too hungry to focus, that investment is undermined.
What I especially appreciate about this legislation is that it builds on what’s already working. It leverages existing federal and state resources and encourages schools to use innovative service models like breakfast in the classroom or grab-and-go options. It also gives schools flexibility to decide what works best for their students and communities.
Another forward-thinking aspect of this bill is the Farm-to-Table initiative, which encourages schools to buy local produce, dairy and proteins. That means fresh, healthy meals for our children and more opportunities for North Carolina farmers and food producers. In rural communities like mine, where agriculture plays such a vital role in the local economy, this is a win-win. It keeps dollars close to home and supports the families who grow our food and sustain our communities.
This isn’t about creating more bureaucracy. It’s about using existing resources more effectively — aligning federal, state and local dollars to help kids thrive, strengthen families and support schools. It helps families without expanding welfare, reduces future costs and prepares young North Carolinians to become contributing members of society.
This isn’t a handout; it’s a strategy.
When we invest wisely in our children, we invest in the future strength of our communities. And when we support practical, conservative approaches to improving education and health, we build stronger families, better schools and a more self-reliant next generation.
I’m grateful to Biggs for recognizing this issue and for leading with both practicality and heart. I hope lawmakers on both sides of the aisle will come together to support H.B. 774. Strong students are the foundation of a strong North Carolina — and a strong America. If we want the next generation to be ready for service, for skilled work, or for leadership, they need to start with the basics.
Darrell L. Frye is chair of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners.
