The Carolina Hunger Initiative’s work includes connecting families and children with food resources and programs, fighting food insecurity among college students and using data to inform elected officials and the public. (Submitted photos)
Did you know that a leading organization making sure North Carolinians have healthy meals year-round is based at UNC-Chapel Hill?
The Carolina Hunger Initiative, a grant- and donor-funded operation housed within the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, directs projects and initiatives spanning the Tar Heel State.
“Our mission is to create greater access to federally funded meals,” said Lou Anne Crumpler, CHI’s director.
Here are five things to know about CHI’s work.
1. It’s called Carolina home for over a decade.
CHI, initially named No Kid Hungry North Carolina, began in 2011 with Gov. Beverly Perdue. When Perdue left office, Crumpler needed a new home for the program.
In Carolina, she found a world-class institution with expertise and a focus on statewide service.
“We knew if we had an institutional home and the strength of the reputation of UNC and the seriousness of being at a university, we’d be better off than trying to start a nonprofit,” Crumpler said.
Forming connections with UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health faculty like HPDP director Alice Ammerman and Jessica Soldavini, a research specialist, bolstered the CHI’s work.
“We have an impact on people all over North Carolina who may never step foot on campus but benefit from the work that we do that is supported and promoted by the University,” Crumpler said.
2. Its work leads to results.
CHI works on several projects, including a partnership with the state called SUN Bucks, delivering more than $257 million in two years to families to help feed children during summer months.
CHI also co-leads the School Meals for All N.C. Coalition, which uses data to educate legislators and the public. As a result, the state legislature voted to expand the number of students eligible for free school lunches via a reduced-price copay.
“We see it as an incremental step toward school meals for all,” said Andrew Harrell, program and communication manager at CHI. “We play the education and data role in this advocate world.”
3. It’s working to curb hunger among college students.
More than 22% of college students don’t know where their next meal is coming from, Harrell said. More than two-thirds of the ones eligible to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (aka SNAP) aren’t enrolled.
Earlier this year, CHI created the NC College Food Benefits website, where students can learn if they’re eligible and get connected with resources.
4. Carolina students play a role.
CHI gets plenty of support from Carolina interns, primarily Gillings students. They do everything: help run nutrition education programs, build communications toolkits and turn raw data into dashboards for advocacy and planning.
Two former student assistants are now part of CHI’s full-time staff of nine.
5. CHI’s presence is felt statewide.
The group’s work spans all 100 North Carolina counties and includes partnerships with each school district.
CHI hosts the annual N.C. Child Hunger Leaders Conference, usually held in Chapel Hill but moving to Asheville in 2026. The conference brings together nutrition professionals, representatives from food banks and state agencies, educators and community partners to share successes, tools, feedback and inspiration while learning how to best coordinate across sectors.
CHI also co-hosts SummerPalooza, all-day events in the western, central and eastern parts of the state. The events celebrate the hard work done to provide meals to kids at no cost to families when school is out — and remind communities that CHI is there to help.
“We co-present with the state agency and make it very clear to any organization that we are there to be your extra staff,” said Tamara Baker, CHI’s project and communications director.
Story originally published by Brennan Doherty, University Communications and Marketing.
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