With the end of SNAP emergency allotments, North Carolina hunger advocates are noting increased demand on food banks. In 2022, more than 1.5 million North Carolinians used SNAP benefits, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. March 1st saw the end of the pandemic-era "emergency allotments" that increased SNAP benefits across the country, with the average SNAP benefit falling back to less than $6 per person per day. The most recent numbers from the U-S-D-A indicate that food prices are 8.5% higher than a year ago. These factors have hunger advocates bracing for a so-called "hunger cliff."

Barbara Morales-Burke, chief operating officer for Raleigh-based Interfaith Food Shuttle, said they have seen demand increase continuously since COVID began, but in recent months the upswing has been more noticeable.

"Interfaith food Shuttle saw an increase of over 5,500 people, which is 5.4% served in the month of March compared to February," she said. "This comes on the heels of an increase of over 10% of individuals who we served between January and February of this year."

She added this is a trend they expect to continue and expand as more people feel the full impact of the end of the emergency allotments, in addition to ongoing inflation.

Commissioners in Durham County recently voted to allocate $500,000 to support Interfaith Food Shuttle and the Food Bank of Eastern and Central North Carolina with the purchase of wholesale food. While this is not enough to cover the estimated $3.2 monthly reduction in SNAP benefits, Morales-Burke is hopeful other counties will take notice.

"The intent is to try to supplement or fill in the gap that the elimination of the emergency allotments has created," she said. "And so that's just something that we hope other counties will take note of. And to the extent that they're able to do that financially, it could help make a big difference."

Interfaith Food Shuttle operates in seven counties in North Carolina as a food bank serving partner agencies such as food pantries and soup kitchens. They also combat child hunger directly with multiple programs supporting kids in area schools.

"We have a backpack program called Backpack Buddies," Morales-Burke added. "Last year, over 72,000 backpacks were distributed to students, and those backpacks are provided to them on Fridays, and they're intended to provide meals for the student to eat over the weekend."

The Backpack Buddies program served 73 schools last year.

Interfaith Food Shuttle also sources produce from a series of community gardens and their own farming operation.

"We've got a 14-acre farm where we grow a variety of types of produce, and we use that produce in part for the food that we deliver to our partner agencies, and last fiscal year we harvested over 77,000 pounds of fresh produce," Morales-Burke said.


get more stories like this via email

A new program in Indiana will ensure year-round access to nutritious meals for students statewide.

The Summer Electronic Transfer program provides a one-time $120 payment for school-aged children on an EBT card. The card can be used at grocery stores, farmers markets and other retailers.

Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry, said history shows programs such as SUN Bucks are effective.

"What we learned from the pandemic is that when we provide benefits like this, allowing families to pickup on behalf of their children made a tremendous difference in reducing food insecurity amongst kids during the pandemic," Weikert Bryant observed. "Particularly during the summer."

Weikert Bryant pointed out most eligible families will automatically receive benefits and local schools will discuss eligibility with parents and families. The application deadline is Wednesday. Additionally, free meals are available at SUN Meals sites throughout communities. Funding for the initiative is provided by the state and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Weikert Bryant described who qualifies for SUN Bucks.

"Children are eligible for the program if the household already participates in SNAP, TANF -- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families -- or income-based Medicaid," Weikert Bryant outlined. "Or if the student has been identified as a ward of the state; a foster child, homeless or migrant."

SUN Bucks serves as a crucial lifeline, ensuring no child goes hungry during the summer months. The program reflects Indiana's commitment to fostering the well-being of Hoosier kids, ensuring they receive nutritious meals to thrive personally and academically.


get more stories like this via email

Alabama is one of 14 states opting out of the 2024 summer electronic benefit program.

As summer rolls around, there will be no programs in place to help low-income families with grocery costs.

LaTrell Clifford Wood, hunger policy advocate for the group Alabama Arise, said as a result, more than 500,000 children who usually receive free or reduced lunch could go without meals. She noted while summer feeding programs will be available, they will not reach everyone in need.

"Ninety-four percent of Alabama children who rely on free and reduced-price meals won't have access to them over the summer," Clifford Wood reported. "That means that only 6% of the children who rely on those meals during the school year are going to be fed through summer feeding programs."

Clifford Wood warned limited hours, transportation and strict program rules will hinder many families from benefiting from such vital programs. The Alabama Legislature did not allocate the necessary $15 million for the program by the end of the last session. However, Clifford Wood noted there is a chance the program will be funded in the summer of 2025.

As legislators focus on next year's budgets, Clifford Wood stressed the need for funding next summer's EBT program. She pointed out Alabama Arise is calling for lawmakers to allocate funds from the Education Trust Fund to combat child hunger, affecting one in four children in the state.

"This is a program that's been tested for 13 years," Clifford Wood emphasized. "It's had three rigorous evaluation periods, and it was shown to improve the diet of children and decrease children's food hardship by a third."

Clifford Wood believes prioritizing children's needs and addressing food insecurity is a form of preventive care and serves as an early investment in the state's overall wellness.

The Food Research and Action Center said funding the e-benefits program would also benefit the economy - adding anywhere from $98 million to $117 million. The Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee is expected to vote on the budget next week.

California's program helping low-income families buy fresh fruit and vegetables is on the chopping block and health care advocates are asking legislators to save the Market Match program.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed cutting most of the program's $35 million budget to help close the state's budget shortfall.

Sophia Vaccaro, a participant in Market Match from Echo Park, said she depends on Market Match in more ways than one.

"It helps people being able to stretch their budget further," Vaccaro explained. "Then, I think it helps the community, in that it creates a sense of camaraderie at the farmers' market and makes people more invested in the community itself."

The program matches every dollar CalFresh customers spend on fresh fruits and vegetables at a farmer's market up to between $10 and $20 per day. It is active at 294 sites across the state and is partially paid for through federal matching funds.

Dr. John Maa, surgeon at Marin Health Medical Center and board member of the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the American Heart Association, said Market Match promotes healthy eating and boosts the local farm economy.

"An improved diet really will have long-term meaningful impacts on health, and also reduce health care costs," Maa explained. "It really helps to sustain the growers and the merchants. I guess it's a win-win-win."

Siu Han Cheung, outreach coordinator for the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation and board member of the Heart of the City Farmers' Market, argued the program is vital to residents across the state.

"If the Market Match will be cut, that is terrible," Cheung stressed. "That means they have less money to buy their food. So, Market Match is very important for the low-income families and the seniors."

Legislators and the governor are working toward the May budget revisions, and must pass a balanced budget by June 15.