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Extra Food and Nutrition Services benefits enacted during the pandemic to end in March

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published January 13, 2023 at 10:11 AM EST
An assortment of organic vegetables is seen on display. A growing body of evidence documents how farming methods can influence the nutritional content of foods.
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In North Carolina and nationally, emergency allotments for COVID-19 in the Food and Nutrition Services program – which used to be called Food Stamps -- will end in March.

In North Carolina and nationally, emergency allotments for COVID-19 in the Food and Nutrition Services program – which used to be called Food Stamps -- will end in March.

Households that have been receiving extra benefits since March 2020 or after will see a reduction after the federal government ended emergency allotments for all states.

"Families needed these additional benefits to get healthy and nutritious food throughout the pandemic," said Susan Gale Perry, NCDHHS Chief Deputy Secretary for Opportunity and Well-Being. "While FNS emergency payments are ending, the need is not. We will continue to prioritize food security for all North Carolinians."

As part of the COVID-19 public health emergency, families in North Carolina have been receiving at least $95 extra per month. With the end of emergency allotments, the average FNS benefit per person per day will decrease from $8.12 to $5.45.
Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
See stories by Annette Weston