The Wake County School District leaders say federal funding for the statewide Farm to School program ran out in March.
"There's a lot at stake," said Wake County School District Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor.
Educators and farmers are now urging the general assembly to take immediate action.
Tommy Wheeler is the founder of Tidewater Grain Company in Pamlico County. He grows heirloom rice and has been supplying school districts across the state.
He's one farmer participating in the Farm to School program.
Wheeler scaled up production to meet the need. However, he says the federal SNAP cuts could cause a financial hit to the agriculture community.
"The more we can support local foods and keep them into the schools, then now we're reinforcing those dollars locally and teaching the kids about where farms and where foods come from and how important it is to do that and in a manner that makes it sustainable for the local economy," said Wheeler.
Leaders are asking legislators to approve $2.5 million specifically for the Farm to School statewide program.