Congresswoman Alma Adams Statement On Fighting Hunger In The 12th District; Urges House Appropriations To Fund Emergency Food Banks
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, a member of the House Committee on Agriculture and the Subcommittee on Nutrition today released the following statement after a report released by the Food Research and Action Center listed High Point and Greensboro as first in the nation for food insecurity:
"I have lived and served in the Greensboro and High Point areas for decades and know first-hand that access to affordable and nutritious food plagues these communities. This report is yet another painful reminder of the severity of the food crisis facing the 12th District.
"As the Representative in Congress for the 12th District, I remain committed to addressing this issue here at home and in Washington. That is why I made it a priority to join the House Committee on Agriculture and the Subcommittee on Nutrition. As a member of those committees, I will be able to fight for vital programs like SNAP that help many families in the 12th District access quality food.
"Just last month, I urged the Appropriations Committee to fund the Emergency Food Assistance Program at $420 million, to adequately address the issue of food insecurity and food bank funding in North Carolina and throughout the nation. I will continue to fight on behalf of the 770,000 people of the 12th Congressional District by making sure that our food banks and co-ops have the funding they need, that vital food programs like SNAP are protected and most importantly, that more of our families have access to quality and nutritious food.
"But even with SNAP benefits and other food programs, families still struggle to put food on the table which is why I will be working to address the larger issue of low-paying jobs, systematic poverty and unemployment, which contribute to the crisis our communities are facing."
According to the latest Census data, more than 27 percent of residents in North Carolina's 12th District live below the poverty line and there is a 13.8 percent unemployment rate. These factors, as well as funding cuts for area food banks and cuts to federally funded programs like SNAP influence food insecurity.
In March, Congresswoman Adams, along with other members of Congress, sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee requesting they provide full funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). This program provides food and funding to help states and local food banks provide services to supplement the diets of low-income Americans, including the elderly, at no cost.
Full text of the letter to the Appropriations Committee is attached. 
TEFAP FY16 Letter - FINAL (2).pdf