As food insecurity has weighed heavily in North Carolina, concerns about food shortages among schools in Sampson County have been brought up by some, prompting a check-in with Clinton City Schools and Sampson County Schools. Neither school district has reported a food shortage so far this year.
“Sampson County Schools Child Nutrition has not experienced a situation where a school has run out of food and been unable to provide meals to students,” clarified Melissa Smith, the school nutrition director for Sampson County Schools, last Friday afternoon.
Smith continued, saying, “Currently, our schools are serving meals as usual, and we are not experiencing a food shortage. We appreciate our Child Nutrition staff and their continued commitment to serving our students.”
She also addressed concerns about Hargrove Elementary School running out of food.
“Hargrove Elementary did not run out of food. From time to time, schools may need to make menu substitutions or only have one option, due to changes in participation, product availability, or deliveries. These adjustments ensure that students continue to receive a nutritious meal.”
Smith added that if there ever was an emergency in which schools ran out of food, the Sampson County Schools Child Nutrition team would work with cafeteria staff and coordinate resources already collected among schools to address any issues quickly.
Clinton City Schools Director of School Nutrition Sheila Peterson was unable to be reached for comment at the end of last week and beginning of this week.
However, Gloria Estrada, an employee with Clinton City Schools Child Nutrition, was able to shed some light on Clinton’s situation.
“I’ve been with Child Nutrition, and I don’t have that concern at all today,” Estrada said.
She further emphasized that there is no reason for concern about food shortages among Clinton City Schools.