Governor Josh Stein, along with governors from 23 other states, issued a letter to congressional leadership on Tuesday. The letter warns about the potential impact of proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), which could affect millions nationwide, including over 1.4 million people in North Carolina who rely on SNAP for food security.
In response, North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai and various partner organizations released statements emphasizing the importance of SNAP in North Carolina.
Secretary Dev Sangvai stated, “One in six children in North Carolina face food insecurity, unsure of where their next meal will come from. Programs like SNAP are critical in ensuring children and families get the food and nutrition they need to live healthy lives and thrive in school and in their communities.” He highlighted that shifting costs to states complicates efforts to maintain public health without sufficient state resources.
The North Carolina Association of County Departments of Social Services also expressed concerns: “County social services workers in North Carolina are the front-line staff responsible for administering the SNAP program. We see every day how these benefits bridge food security gaps for families with children, individuals with disabilities, the elderly, veterans and others who are working low-wage jobs.”
The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners noted financial challenges: “By reducing federal funding and shifting administrative costs to state and local governments, Congress would force North Carolina and its counties to replace tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue.”
The potential economic impact was addressed by the North Carolina Retail Merchant’s Association: “SNAP is not only essential for millions of families struggling with food insecurity; it also plays a critical role in sustaining local grocery stores, markets, and food retailers across our communities.”
Feeding the Carolinas highlighted its role alongside SNAP: “The seven North Carolina food banks…provided over 250 million meals to our neighbors in the past year. Even with this significant work, it is critical to understand that SNAP provides 9 meals for every 1 meal that the food banks deliver.”
These statements collectively underscore concerns about how proposed changes could strain both public assistance programs and local economies if enacted.
