North Carolina still has a big problem with food insecurity, with high rates of hunger in many areas.
Feeding America says that food insecurity means not always having access to enough food to live a good life. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that millions of Americans are still having a hard time, even though 86.5% of U.S. families will have enough food in 2023.
Based on figures from 2022, these are the 10 North Carolina counties where food insecurity is most common:
Scotland County
- Food insecurity: 19.4%
- Food Insecure Population: 6,660
- Cost per meal: $3.68
Hyde County
- Food insecurity: 21.6%
- Food Insecure Population: 1,000
- Cost per meal: $4.69
Robeson County
- Food insecurity: 20.4%
- Food Insecure Population: 23,960
- Cost per meal: $3.60
Alleghany County
- Food insecurity: 18%
- Food Insecure Population: 1,980
- Cost per meal: $3.66
Richmond County
- Food insecurity: 18.2%
- Food Insecure Population: 7,850
- Cost per meal: $3.70
Other counties, like Jones, Tyrrell, and Halifax, also have big problems with not having enough food. This shows that the whole state needs to keep working to fight hunger.
What do you think about the fact that a lot of people in North Carolina’s counties don’t have enough food? Are you sure that enough is being done to fix this problem, since so many kids and families are being hurt?
How can the government and communities work together to make sure people have enough food and find answers that will last?
Your ideas about how to make it easier for people in these areas to get healthy food are valued. Let’s talk about how we can make a change.