About one in five students in the Ballantyne area qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals, a sign of how rising food costs are pressing families even in one of Charlotte's most established neighborhoods.

Across the broader region, the need is at an all-time high. Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina served a record nearly 500,000 people across its 24-county territory in North and South Carolina, WBTV first reported Tuesday, Sept. 29. The food bank distributed more than 93 million pounds of food in fiscal year 2025–2026, with over 60% of that being fresh produce, meat and dairy, according to a Harris Teeter announcement in August.

"We've seen prices staying stubbornly high, I think everybody understands that and realizes that," CEO Kay Carter said. "I think all of those things combine to make things really challenging for food banks right now."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects food prices will rise roughly 3% next year, stacking on top of sharp increases in 2022 and 2023 that never fully eased.

Locally, Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors in Need (BFHNIN) collected 8,460 individual snacks during a drive the week of Sept. 14. The group stocks school counselors' offices so students can receive food without drawing attention. Since its founding, BFHNIN has reached more than 19,000 people and provided more than $750,000 in assistance to Ballantyne-area neighbors.

Carter cited new workforce requirements and other restrictions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as drivers of rising food insecurity. Statewide, SNAP enrollment dropped by more than 110,000 people between September 2025 and August 2026, according to WFAE reporting published Sept. 2. Starting Oct. 1, the federal government will cut its share of SNAP administration costs in half to 25%, shifting the remaining 75% to states, WFAE reported.

Charlotte working mother Jazzman Vasquez told WBTV the pressure is impossible to escape. "It's becoming ridiculous," Vasquez said. "Now it doesn't even make a difference. There was a time where I'm going to hit the grocery store rather than going out to save money; now you're not saving money no matter what you do."

Community response has been visible. On Hunger Action Day, Sept. 29, Perdue donated 40,000 pounds of chicken to Second Harvest for distribution across its service area. On Sept. 11, more than 1,000 Charlotte volunteers packed over 300,000 meals for the food bank at a 9/11 Day of Service event.

Second Harvest's next drive-through food distributions are scheduled for Oct. 2, Oct. 30, Nov. 6, Dec. 4 and Dec. 18. Locations and volunteer sign-ups are available at Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina's website.