Our Statement on USDA Elimination of Vital Hunger Data

Right now, more than 607,000 people are food insecure across the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina’s 34-county area service area. That's 150,000 more neighbors than the peak of the pandemic, when so many of us lost jobs, income, and loved ones. 

This hunger crisis has continued to worsen as federal officials move to reduce and eliminate longtime, effective safety nets — from food purchase funding for hunger relief organiations to SNAP grocery support for families.  As a result, 1 in 7 people across our region are now unsure where their next meal might come from. That's according to the federal government's own data, compiled annually and shared with the public for more than 30 years.

The Food Bank released the following statement on the USDA's announced decision to end public reporting of food insecurity data nationwide.

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 on 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

In the News

USDA cancels survey tracking how many Americans struggle to get enough food

Trump ends annual report on U.S. hunger amid rising food insecurity

USDA puts food reasearchers on leave, following agency’s decision to cancel annual hunger report