Temporary Hot Food Waiver Approved for NC Food and Nutrition Services Recipients in 3 Counties Impacted by Tropical Storm Fred

Raleigh -- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Sep 16, 2021

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved North Carolina’s request for a hot food waiver for Food and Nutrition Services recipients in three western counties that experienced widespread damage due to Tropical Storm Fred.

This waiver allows Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) recipients in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties to purchase hot food prepared for immediate consumption with their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card from deli departments at EBT authorized retailers from Sept. 16 through Sept. 30, 2021. This does not include restaurants or other non-EBT authorized retailers.

"As North Carolinians recover from damage caused by Tropical Strom Fred, the ability to get a warm meal for themselves and their families can be difficult but can make all the difference to keep them healthy and moving forward," said Tara Myers, NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for Employment, Inclusion and Economic Stability.

NCDHHS requested the waiver to ensure families who are not able to prepare food at home due to damage to homes or displacement still have access to warm meals.

For more information, please contact your county Department of Social Services office.