Our Statement on USDA Elimination of Vital Hunger Data

Dozens of food bankers, neighbors, and community advocates came together at the legislature this week for Feeding the Carolinas’ State Advocacy Day. 

The corps of hunger relief leaders visited with legislators and key staff to highlight the critical role of food assistance programs and the ongoing need to address hunger across the state — sharing stories from our communities, discussing policy priorities, and emphasizing how strategic investments can strengthen food security for families and farmers statewide.   

Right on the heels of our visits, the House Speaker and Senate President announced that a budget compromise has been reached — which means now is the time to drive home the need for the General Assembly’s annual funding for local food purchases. Even if you’ve sent a message in the past, legislators need hear from all of us again to understand the $9.1 million investment must be included in the final budget. 

Politicians in Washington voted to slash the federal safety nets that help millions of people in North Carolina afford food and medicine. They know their decisions will worsen our hunger crisis, and now they're attempting to hide the evidence by eliminating impact data that has been available to the public for decades.

Administrative changes at the USDA can't erase the reality our communities face every day: the price of groceries remains out of reach for far too many families — and more people are seeking food assistance today than any point in the past 20 years.

Our hunger relief network relies on this data to target resources where they're needed most, especially in rural communities where services are more difficult to access. The General Assembly and state agencies need reliable data to make smart investments in the most effective programs. This information takes even greater importance when tight budgets require tough decisions — and there are no shortage of difficult fiscal discussions underway right now.

We need our Members of Congress to understand the impact this irresponsible decision will have on  kids, seniors, and people with disabilities across North Carolina. It's incredibly important that we all make our voices heard and urge elected leaders to restore vital hunger data.

– Jason Kanawati Stephany Food Bank Vice President

The hunger crisis is the worst we’ve seen in at least a generation. 1 in 7 of our neighbors don’t know where their next meal might come from.

That’s more than 1.6 million people facing hunger statewide. We need at least $9.1 million invested by the General Assembly to help close the gap. With the rising cost of fuel, fertilizer, storage, and transportation, an appropriation of at least $9.1 million is needed to maintain the current level of purchasing from North Carolina farms. This investment supports 400 small and mid-sized farms statewide. 

Politicians in Washington voted to slash the federal safety nets that help millions of people in North Carolina afford food and medicine. They know their decisions will worsen our hunger crisis, and now they're attempting to hide the evidence by eliminating impact data that has been available to the public for decades.

Administrative changes at the USDA can't erase the reality our communities face every day: the price of groceries remains out of reach for far too many families — and more people are seeking food assistance today than any point in the past 20 years.

Our hunger relief network relies on this data to target resources where they're needed most, especially in rural communities where services are more difficult to access. The General Assembly and state agencies need reliable data to make smart investments in the most effective programs. This information takes even greater importance when tight budgets require tough decisions — and there are no shortage of difficult fiscal discussions underway right now.

We need our Members of Congress to understand the impact this irresponsible decision will have on  kids, seniors, and people with disabilities across North Carolina. It's incredibly important that we all make our voices heard and urge elected leaders to restore vital hunger data.

– Jason Kanawati Stephany Food Bank Vice President