New Support for Non-Congregate Sponsors
Starting this December, we are launching a Monthly Virtual Roundtable series exclusively for non-congregate summer meal sponsors in NC. These one-hour sessions are designed to be “deep dives” into the specific challenges you face—from menu planning and bulk item regulations to staffing models and volunteer recruitment. It’s your dedicated space to learn, troubleshoot, and connect with peers.
To support you between calls, we have also launched the NCM NC Summer Sponsors Google Group. This is an always-open forum where you can ask quick questions, share resources, and swap successful strategies with other sponsors across the state.
What are SUN Meals To-Go?
SUN Meals To-Go (also referred to as rural non-congregate meals or NCM) offers a flexible way to help ensure children in rural communities have access to the healthy food they need all summer long. These summer meals available at no cost to families in high need areas can be picked up or delivered to youth, 18 and under, during the summer. SUN Meals To-Go can be offered in eligible rural areas where transportation to a summer meal site may be difficult. SUN Meals To-Go differ from traditional SUN Meals in a few ways:
- Sponsors (organizations that operate the program) may provide multiple meals at a time.
- Participating youth do not have to consume meals on site.
Can SUN Meals To-Go work in my community?
To learn if a sponsor is eligible to operate SUN Meals To-Go in your community, a meal site must be meet two conditions:
- Must be area eligible for SUN Meals To-Go on NC DPI’s Capacity Builder
- Must be designated as a rural area by USDA
Click on the image above to see which cities and counties operated SUN Meals To-Go in 2025.
What are the benefits of the program?
SUN Meals To-Go may be the only option for families in rural communities to get summer meals when school is out. The economic boost provided by the program also can be a game-changer. Sponsors report ending the summer with a much stronger bottom line due to the significantly higher number of meals they were able to serve using NCM – sometimes as much as 12 times more meals than when just serving congregate meals that must be eaten on-site. A major win-win for families and budgets.
How does the program work?
SUN Meals To-Go can be operated in several ways to best meet the needs of the community. Sponsors across North Carolina have taken this program above and beyond. Learn more about different non-congregate meal service models below:
How can I learn more?
Ready to explore a new way to reach more children in your community? The SUN Meals To-Go model offers incredible flexibility to meet the unique needs of rural North Carolina. Our team at the Carolina Hunger Initiative is here to help you navigate the eligibility requirements, brainstorm distribution models, and get your program up and running. You can also visit the USDA SUN Meals To-Go page for additional information.
Contact us today at carolinahungerinitiative@unc.edu to learn more and start planning!