Hunger Continues to Rise Across North Carolina – Key programs like food stamps softened the Great Recession’s deep blow

November 2011

KEY FINDINGS:

• North Carolina has the sixth‐highest rate of food hardship in the 50 states, up from thirteenth highest in 2008. Research has shown that the cost of hunger in North Carolina was $5.44 billion in 2010, in terms of lowered educational, health care, and productivity outcomes.
• The state’s food stamp program provides vital support to families and individuals facing food hardship, and participation has surged since the start of the recession, with the equivalent of the population of Charlotte added to the program.
• Policymakers should resist calls to create barriers to food stamps and instead focus on job creation via investment in education, health care, and infrastructure.