Food Insecurity in North Carolina: 2025 Report

Key Finding

Approximately 1,320,000 North Carolinians (12.4%) experience food insecurity, including 387,000 children (17.1%).

12.4%
Food Insecurity Rate

Overview

North Carolina, the 9th most populous state in the nation, faces significant food insecurity challenges despite its diverse economy and agricultural heritage. This report examines hunger in the Tar Heel State as of 2025, analyzing geographic disparities, demographic patterns, and the infrastructure addressing food insecurity.

Food insecurity affects North Carolinians in both urban and rural areas, from the mountains of Appalachia to the coastal plains. The state's food insecurity rate of 12.4% is slightly above the national average of 11.5%, with dramatic variation across the state's 100 counties.

7
Food Banks
1.32M
Food Insecure People
387,000
Food Insecure Children

North Carolina Statewide Statistics (2025)

Total Population 10,698,973
Food Insecure Population 1,320,000 (12.4%)
Child Food Insecurity Rate 17.1% (387,000 children)
Median Household Income $66,186
Poverty Rate 12.8%
Unemployment Rate 3.5%
SNAP Participation 1,284,000 (12.0%)
Free/Reduced Lunch Eligible 48.3% of students
Average Meal Cost $3.42
Estimated Annual Funding Gap $683 million
Note: Data sourced from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap 2025, U.S. Census Bureau, and NC Department of Health and Human Services.

Food Insecurity Trends (2015-2025)

Analysis

North Carolina's food insecurity rate shows concerning persistence despite economic recovery:

  • Above national average: NC's 12.4% rate exceeds the U.S. average of 11.5%
  • Pandemic impact lingering: While improved from 2021's peak (14.8%), still above pre-pandemic 2019 levels (11.3%)
  • Child food insecurity: 17.1% child rate is significantly higher than overall population
  • Geographic concentration: 34 counties have rates above 15%, mostly in rural areas

Key factors affecting current food insecurity levels:

  • Rural poverty in eastern NC and mountain counties
  • Inflation and rising food costs (up 19% since 2021)
  • High housing costs in Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, and Asheville metros
  • Decline in pandemic-era SNAP emergency allotments
  • Medicaid coverage gap affecting healthcare costs

Food Insecurity by North Carolina Region

North Carolina's 100 counties show dramatic variation in food insecurity rates:

Region/County Population Food Insecurity Rate Food Insecure People Child FI Rate
Triangle/Research Triangle Region (Lowest Rates)
Orange County (Chapel Hill) 148,000 7.8% 11,500 12.1%
Wake County (Raleigh) 1,150,000 8.4% 96,600 13.2%
Durham County 324,000 11.2% 36,300 16.8%
Charlotte Metro Area
Mecklenburg County (Charlotte) 1,115,000 10.8% 120,400 16.2%
Union County 247,000 9.1% 22,500 14.3%
Gaston County 227,000 13.6% 30,900 19.4%
Piedmont Triad
Guilford County (Greensboro) 541,000 12.3% 66,500 18.1%
Forsyth County (Winston-Salem) 382,000 12.9% 49,300 18.9%
Davidson County 168,000 13.4% 22,500 19.2%
Eastern North Carolina (Highest Rates)
Robeson County 116,000 19.8% 23,000 26.7%
Scotland County 34,000 18.9% 6,400 25.8%
Halifax County 49,000 18.6% 9,100 25.4%
Edgecombe County 48,000 18.2% 8,700 24.9%
Western North Carolina / Mountains
Buncombe County (Asheville) 269,000 10.7% 28,800 16.1%
Henderson County 118,000 11.4% 13,500 17.2%
Swain County 14,300 15.8% 2,260 22.1%
Stark Disparities: Food insecurity rates range from 7.8% in Orange County to 19.8% in Robeson County - a 2.5-fold difference reflecting deep economic and geographic inequalities.

Food Insecurity by Demographics

By Race/Ethnicity

  • Black/African American: 21.3% food insecurity rate
  • Native American: 23.8% food insecurity rate
  • Hispanic/Latino: 19.2% food insecurity rate
  • White (Non-Hispanic): 9.4% food insecurity rate
  • Asian American: 8.7% food insecurity rate

Note: NC has the largest Native American population east of the Mississippi, concentrated in Robeson, Hoke, and Cumberland counties.

By Household Type

  • Single mothers with children 29.7%
  • Households with seniors (65+) 8.9%
  • Two-parent families 11.3%
  • Single adults 12.8%

By Age Group

  • Children (0-17) 17.1%
  • Working-age adults (18-64) 11.9%
  • Seniors (65+) 8.9%

Root Causes and Contributing Factors

1. Rural Poverty and Economic Transition

Eastern NC counties have struggled with the decline of tobacco farming and textile manufacturing. Many counties have poverty rates above 20%, with limited economic opportunities.

2. Low Wage Jobs

NC's minimum wage remains $7.25/hour (federal minimum). The living wage for a single adult in most counties is $16-18/hour, and $32-38/hour for a single parent with one child.

3. Healthcare Costs

NC has not fully expanded Medicaid, leaving approximately 600,000 adults in the coverage gap. Medical expenses force many families to choose between healthcare and food.

4. Housing Cost Burden

Rapidly growing metros (Charlotte, Raleigh, Asheville) have seen 40-60% rent increases over the past 5 years. In Charlotte, 48% of renters are cost-burdened.

5. Food Deserts

37 NC counties are classified as rural food deserts. The average distance to a full-service grocery store in eastern NC is 14.2 miles.

6. Natural Disasters

NC's coastal and mountain regions face recurring hurricane, flooding, and winter storm impacts, disrupting food systems and livelihoods.

Working Hungry: 42% of food-insecure North Carolinians live in households with at least one working adult, highlighting that employment alone doesn't guarantee food security.

Food Assistance Infrastructure

Charitable Food Network

7
Regional Food Banks
2,600+
Partner Agencies
283M
Pounds Distributed (2024)
890,000
People Served Monthly

Major Food Banks

  • Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina - 34 counties, 7 regional branches (Raleigh, Durham, Greenville, New Bern, Wilmington, Sandhills, Southern Branch)
  • Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC - 18 counties in Piedmont Triad
  • MANNA FoodBank - 16 counties in Western NC
  • Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina - Charlotte region
  • Food Bank of the Albemarle - 15 counties in northeastern NC

Federal Nutrition Programs in North Carolina (2024)

Program Participants Annual Benefits
SNAP (Food Stamps) 1,284,000 $2.54 billion
WIC 172,000 $142 million
School Breakfast 414,000 daily $148 million
National School Lunch 723,000 daily $527 million
Summer EBT (new 2024) 625,000 $75 million
TEFAP (Emergency Food) 580,000 $12.8 million

North Carolina Initiatives and Solutions

State-Level Programs

  • NC Double Bucks: SNAP incentive program providing dollar-for-dollar match (up to $40/day) for fresh produce purchases at farmers markets and participating retailers
  • Farm to School Program: Connects 2,000+ schools with local farms, serving NC-grown produce to 1.5 million students
  • NC Food Access Network: Coalition working to improve food access in underserved communities
  • Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): State distribution of federal commodities through food banks

Innovative Local Solutions

  • Mobile Pantries: 340+ mobile food distribution events monthly reaching rural food deserts
  • Community Gardens: 450+ community gardens statewide providing fresh produce to neighbors
  • School Pantries: 280 school-based food pantries serving students and families
  • Food Pharmacy Programs: 18 medical centers "prescribe" healthy food to patients with diabetes, hypertension, and other diet-related conditions
  • Weekend Backpack Programs: 670 schools send food home with students on Fridays

Policy Recommendations

  1. Expand Medicaid to reduce healthcare costs competing with food budgets
  2. Raise minimum wage to $15/hour with regional adjustments
  3. Increase affordable housing investment to reduce housing cost burden
  4. Strengthen SNAP by restoring benefits to pre-pandemic adequacy levels
  5. Universal school meals to ensure all children have access to nutritious food
  6. Rural economic development focused on sustainable agriculture and broadband access
  7. Disaster preparedness funding for resilient food systems in hurricane-prone areas

How You Can Help

Individuals

  • Volunteer at your local food bank or pantry
  • Donate to the North Carolina Association of Feeding America Food Banks
  • Shop NC Double Bucks retailers to support farmers and food access
  • Advocate for anti-hunger policies with state legislators
  • Start a food drive in your workplace or faith community

Businesses & Organizations

  • Join the food rescue network to donate surplus food
  • Sponsor mobile pantry stops in underserved communities
  • Offer living wages and benefits to employees
  • Partner with schools for Farm to School programs
  • Support local food banks through corporate giving
Find NC Food Banks Take Action

Methodology and Data Sources

This report synthesizes data from multiple authoritative sources:

  • Feeding America Map the Meal Gap 2025: County-level food insecurity estimates
  • U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024, population and demographic data
  • NC Department of Health and Human Services: SNAP and WIC participation data
  • NC Department of Public Instruction: School meals participation statistics
  • North Carolina Association of Feeding America Food Banks: Charitable food distribution data
  • USDA Economic Research Service: Food access and food desert analysis

Last Updated: January 2025 | Report Authors: FoodBankFinder.net Research Team