Feeding the Carolinas' Statewide Lobby Day Highlights the Need to Address Hunger Across the State

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. 

The price of food is rising, and so is hunger. The time to act is now. We are seeing more working families than ever before turn to food banks for help, and we need the state’s partnership to ensure no one goes hungry—especially during times of crisis.

– Eric Aft Feeding the Carolinas Chair and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC

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. 

Food banks will continue to show up for our communities, no matter the circumstances. But we cannot do it alone. Restoring this funding is essential to ensuring that in times of crisis or disaster, our state is prepared and our neighbors are cared for.

– Ann Edmondson Executive Director of Feeding the Carolinas