North Carolina

USDA terminates annual Hunger Survey as food banks see growing demand

Published

3 months ago

September 24, 2025

USDA terminates annual Hunger Survey as food banks see growing demand

RALEIGH, N.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is ending its annual survey that tracks hunger in the country, despite the rise in food costs.

Here in North Carolina, where more than 600,000 people face food insecurity, local organizations like The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina say the cuts could affect how they can serve families in the state.

What You Need To Know

The 30-year-old Hunger Survey measured food insecurity across the country but will no longer be conducted

The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina says more families are turning to them as grocery prices continue to rise

The final report is set to be released on Oct. 22

Without federal data, organizers say it may be harder to measure the needs of communities across the state

At the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, dozens of volunteers spend hours packing boxes with bread, milk, meat and canned goods, some essentials for families who can’t afford to purchase them on their own.

Here in North Carolina, officials say over 600,000 people face food insecurity. That’s why staff and volunteers say the timing couldn’t be worse.

Volunteer Cathy Engel says it’s not just about packing the food, but building a connection with a family even if it’s brief.

“Meeting all the people that come in and talking to them, that’s what makes me want to continue to come,” Engel said.

She says that in her five years of service she’s seen the need for food increase, but supplies are decreasing.

“We’re much more limited in what we give out, and even what the food shelves are limited in, what they’re allowed to get from this distribution center,” she said.

Vice President Jason Kanawati Stephany agreed, saying that the USDA’s decision could cause more harm than good to communities in need.

“Our pantries are seeing near unprecedented need. So we don’t need that government data to validate that experience,” Kanawati Stephany said. “But here’s where the government data is vital. It’s vital for us to make decisions about where we invest our resources. And more importantly, it tells government leaders where resources and investments are needed.”

“Trends in the prevalence of food insecurity have remained virtually unchanged, regardless of an over 87% increase in SNAP spending between 2019-2023,” the USDA said in its announcement.

But volunteers aren’t giving up, and entire organizations like Blue Cross N.C. are sending employees to help meet the growing need.

Lori Taylor, health food director at Blue Cross N.C., said it’s important to step away from everyday tasks and give a helping hand.

“This is the way that we can all make an individual contribution together,” Taylor said.

Engel says they’ll continue to show up.

“It’s hard to be hopeful, but this place gives me hope,” she expressed.

In 2023, 47 million people lived in food-insecure households, according to the USDA. Of those, nearly 14 million were children.

The survey has been published annually for 30 years, throughout both Republican and Democratic administrations.

The last report is scheduled to be released on Oct. 22.

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North Carolina

The ‘North Carolina Barbecue Trail’ Is A Mouthwatering Journey Through Old-School Smokehouses Steeped In Tradition – Islands

Published

8 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Press Room

The ‘North Carolina Barbecue Trail’ Is A Mouthwatering Journey Through Old-School Smokehouses Steeped In Tradition – Islands

Angel Simon/Shutterstock

One of the best parts of traveling is trying the region’s specialty foods, and if you’re visiting North Carolina, that means barbecue. There are two styles of barbecue in North Carolina, and both of them involve pork. The eastern style typically uses whole pigs (no ketchup) on an open pit that’s chopped thin and served with a vinegar sauce. Lexington style uses bone-in pork shoulder, a chunkier chop, and a thicker, sweeter vinegar sauce. You can experience both styles and choose your favorite on a food trail created by the North Carolina Barbecue Society, with iconic stops at traditional smokehouses scattered along the state.

The trail includes 15 restaurants and roadside shacks that have become institutions, each specializing in slow-roasted pork over charcoal and wood, and it’s best visited during summer and fall when several areas host barbecue festivals and events. Not only do trail-goers get to sample amazing barbecue, but they’ll experience some under-the-radar destinations that might have otherwise been missed. The trail includes North Carolina’s “barbecue capital,” a vibrant town full of character with about 15 dedicated barbecue restaurants, and is also home to an iconic barbecue festival, a massive event that takes place in October.

Highlights of the North Carolina Barbecue Trail

Abundant_life/Getty Images

The North Carolina Barbecue trail starts off in Ayden with the Skylight Inn, which uses eastern-style methods over wood coals, and earned a coveted James Beard “American Classics” award. Next, the trail heads to Greenville, home to one of America’s prettiest downtowns. The main attraction for foodies here is B’s barbecue, which is known for mouthwatering ribs. Get there early or they might run out! In Goldsboro, Wilbur’s Barbecue has a convenient drive-through and eastern-style ‘cue, plus it’s a great spot to grab some merchandise and souvenirs.

Heading to Dudley, Grady’s Barbecue might not look like much from the outside, but the little shack serves up a mean rack of ribs (cash-only). Another small town oozing with charm that the trail winds through is Shelby, sandwiched between Asheville and Charlotte with unique southern cuisine. Stop by the Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge for hickory-smoked pork sandwiches, or for something different, livermush is a local delicacy (pig liver, cornmeal, and seasonings) and is served at the Shelby Cafe (among other restaurants).

No barbecue trail would be complete without visiting Lexington, often considered North Carolina’s “gateway to BBQ,” which has a walkable downtown with several barbecue joints serving up “Lexington style” ‘cue (using the pork shoulder). The city’s oldest BBQ spot (that is still using pits) is the Lexington Bar-B-Q Center, which has been in operation since the 1950s and is another mouthwatering stop on the barbecue trail. Most people go for the vinegar-based pork served with the hush puppies and red slaw, but they have a variety of pit-cooked options.

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North Carolina

Viewer photos from Monday’s snowfall

Published

20 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Press Room

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 3:15AM

Some big flakes made for a nice wintry scene in Wake Forest.

Courtesy of Cathy Nestor

Snow and wintry weather fell across Central North Carolina on Monday. Check out some of the images submitted by viewers.

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North Carolina

New winter storm stretching as far south as North Carolina, Virginia in latest hit to travel plans

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2025

Press Room

New winter storm stretching as far south as North Carolina, Virginia in latest hit to travel plans

Another quick-hitting winter storm is brewing over the mid-Atlantic, just a few days after places in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia saw their first snow of the season, in what has been an active start to meteorological winter across the country.

Snow and sleet are ongoing across southern Virginia and West Virginia and will spread over northern North Carolina through Monday, as a fast-moving storm system slides off the East Coast, taking advantage of arctic air in the region.

In addition, sleet along the rain-snow line made for a slick Monday morning commute, particularly for drivers traveling on Interstates 26, 65, 77 and 81.

Some places, particularly in the western North Carolina mountains, were not cold enough for snow Monday morning, leading to cold rain and sleet, which can be more hazardous than snow for drivers.

Meanwhile, snow will replace rain by midday across southern Virginia and northern North Carolina.

People in Raleigh should expect at least a coating to an inch of snow, and those in Asheville will likely see some snow accumulation, with more snow farther north into the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Places closer to Washington, DC, may see only a few flakes with little to no accumulation.

Those driving along the Interstate 95 corridor in eastern Virginia will likely see around 1 to 2 inches of snow through Monday evening.

Most of Virginia and northern North Carolina are under Winter Weather Advisories, with 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.

Winter Storm Warnings were also issued for central and southern Virginia, where higher snow totals of 3 to 5 inches are expected through Monday.

This latest storm bears out the long-range outlook from NOAA last month that forecast an active start to meteorological winter, due in part to the La Niña climate pattern.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, cold air will remain in place Monday night and early Tuesday as the storm system pulls away from the coast. Overnight low temperatures in Washington, DC, will fall into the teens.

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