Food and Nutrition Services of North Carolina

Food & Nutrition Services is helping during slow economic recovery

FNS4NCam — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:21:11 +0000

An article in the Huffington Post states that SNAP (or FNS, as it’s known in North Carolina) is helping low-income households recover from the Great Recession. While the recession technically ended in June 2009, recovery has been slow for many low- and middle-income households. Unemployment remains high in North Carolina (9.4% as of February 2013, one of the highest unemployment rates in the country). As NC Policy Watch has reported, many of the jobs created in North Carolina since the end of the recession have been in the low-wage service industry. As a result, many households continue to need the extra support that Food & Nutrition Services provides. Historically, as households feel more financially secure, FNS participation decreases.

FNS helps working people

FNS4NCam — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:06:30 +0000

Working a full-time job in America doesn’t guarantee you will have enough to eat. Food & Nutrition Services (known as SNAP at the federal level) helps families who need help buying food. Despite helping more than 47 million people during these challenging economic times, Congress is considering cutting funding for this important safety net. Read the full article at Yahoo/Takepart.com.

Radio program discusses debate over cuts to food stamps

FNS4NC — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 20:38:21 +0000

National radio host Diane Rehm recently spoke with anti-hunger and policy experts about proposed cuts to food stamps (known in North Carolina as Food & Nutrition Services). To hear the discussion, click here.

ATM supports EBT program at Carrboro Farmers’ Market

FNS4NC — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 19:41:44 +0000

The Carrboro Farmers’ Market is increasing access to fresh, local produce for FNS households. For the past several years, the market has encouraged FNS households to use their EBT cards at the market. The market recently installed an ATM machine, and fees from the machine are funding the EBT program. Read the full story from The Herald-Sun. Read about a proposed bill to expand EBT acceptance at farmers’ markets at North Carolina Health News.

USDA visits NC State Farmers’ Market

FNS4NC — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:45:24 +0000

USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon visited the State Farmers’ Market in Raleigh this week. Increasingly, more and more farmers’ markets throughout the country are accepting EBT cards, benefitting both FNS households and local farmers. A new grant opportunity will make it possible for 4,000 additional farmers’ markets to begin accepting EBT cards. Read an article from the News & Observer, and click here to watch a short video featuring Under Secretary Concannon.

Alleghany County residents impacted by food insecurity

FNS4NC — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:47:09 +0000

Alleghany County residents are feeling the effects of the downturn in the economy. For these residents, knowing where their next meal will come free or even when they might eat again is a difficult reality. Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina works with community groups in Alleghany County to help address this problem, known as food insecurity. Food & Nutrition Services, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, also serves to alleviate food insecurity. However, in Alleghany County, only 44% of persons eligible for Food & Nutrition Services are enrolled. Participation among seniors is even lower, 27%. To read the full article in The Alleghany News, click here.

Food Bank employee’s efforts highlighted

FNS4NC — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:41:43 +0000

Emily Kraft, an employee with the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC, provides FNS outreach in New Hanover County. Emily explains the program and helps households with the FNS application. Her efforts were highlighted in a recent article in the Star News.

Ashe County DSS recognized for FNS outreach

FNS4NC — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:49:54 +0000

Ashe County Department of Social Services (DSS) was awarded a Hunger Champion Award by the U.S Department of Agriculture earlier this year. The award was in recognition of the county’s efforts to help households enroll in Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) (formerly the Food Stamp Program). The outreach efforts were part of a year-long partnership between Ashe County DSS and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina. To read the full article, click here.

FNS outreach efforts highlighted by AARP

FNS4NC — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:51:45 +0000

A recent article by AARP highlights efforts to reach seniors who face food hardship. One way of addressing food hardship among seniors and other groups is encouraging them to apply for Food & Nutrition Services (FNS). FNS participation among seniors is low compared to other groups; only about 30% of eligible seniors receive FNS benefits in North Carolina. The NC Association of Feeding America Food Banks is helping to enroll seniors (and other eligible groups) in FNS, thereby reducing the need for seniors to decide between purchasing food or paying for utilities or health care. This outreach is desperately needed, as a new Census poverty measurement reveals that nearly 16% of seniors live in poverty, primarily due to high out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Food & Nutrition Services helps some people stay above poverty line

FNS4NC — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:53:50 +0000

The U.S Census Bureau recently reported that 46.2 million Americans lived in poverty in 2010. While harsh economic conditions and high unemployment create challenges for many households, Food & Nutrition Services (known as SNAP nationally), helped an estimated 3.9 million Americans stay above the poverty line in 2010. Households receiving Food & Nutrition Services are able to use their benefits to purchase food, which frees up money for other necessities, such as utilities and medicine. To read the full summary from the Food Research & Action Center, click here.