Amends GS 115C-263 to require public school units to have a school food authority that offers two meals a day at no cost to students. Directs the State Board of Education to allocate funds to school food authorities based on an evaluation of the school food authority’s nutrition services. Requires the evaluation to account for school size, number of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, prior year funds expended, nutrient content and quality of food, whether food is locally sourced, and other information the Board deems relevant. Provides that the funds must be distributed on a fair and equitable basis at the beginning of each fiscal year (except the Board may reserve up to 10% for future allocation) and that funds allocated shall supplement (not replace) funds from other sources provided for the same purpose.

Amends GS 115C-264(a) to require local boards of education to participate in the federal Community Eligibility Provision Program if eligible.

Amends GS 115C-150.14 (schools for the deaf and blind), GS 115C-218.75 (charter schools), GS 115C-238.72(b) (regional schools), and GS 116-239.8(b)(4) (laboratory schools) to require the provision of school nutrition services in accordance with GS 115C-263 and GS 115C-264 as amended.

Appropriates $116,000,000 in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction to provide nutrition services to students in accordance with this act. Provides that the State Board of Education may use funds appropriated to State Aid for Public Schools for this purpose if this appropriation is not sufficient to fulfill the act’s purpose.

Effective July 1, 2026. Applies beginning with the 2026-27 school year.