Hunger Forum History

Efforts to address hunger nationally and locally have resulted in a heightened awareness of hunger as a significant problem facing our society. In North Carolina 13.2 percent of its citizens live in households that are considered to be food insecure according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) annual report. Each year, the Census Bureau measures food insecurity through a series of household survey questions about the ability to obtain enough food for an active, healthy life for all members.  Hunger isn’t just a condition of not having acceptable, adequate food to fuel the body for daily living; it also affects health, education and a community’s economic-health.

After retiring from Congress in 2003, Congresswoman Eva Clayton (Retired) accepted a three-year assignment with the Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) in Rome, Italy.  While there, she worked with international leaders to establish alliances and partnerships to fight hunger in various countries. 

Ms. Clayton has launched an ambitious campaign, “50 by 2015”, designed to reduce hunger in her home state of North Carolina by 50 percent by the year 2015. As part of this campaign, she has worked voluntarily with hunger organizations such as the North Carolina Association of America’s Second Harvest Food Banks, the Society of St Andrew, Church World Service (Carolinas Office) and the Presbyterian Church (USA) to establish the North Carolina Hunger Forum.  The focus of this initiative will be to promote public awareness about hunger, public advocacy and to encourage action to address malnutrition in children and seniors. The initiative will also examine how good nutrition and good health relate.

Beginning in April 2007, the North Carolina Hunger Forum will launch its statewide campaign to address hunger in our State.  The “50 by 2015” campaign will be launched through a series of regional Hunger Forums designed to marshal the goal of reducing hunger in the State.

The Goals of the “50 by 2015” are to:

  • Raise public awareness of the extent and cost of Hunger in our State
  • Raise public awareness of Nutrition programs and activities in which individuals and groups may participate
  • Combine the strengths of local, state and national organizations, religious bodies, the private sector, universities and concerned individuals who are committed to working together to end hunger in North Carolina
  • Understand and influence State and Federal legislation that addresses hunger

The forums will be held in Greenville, Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Raleigh.