WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Despite unemployment being down hunger is up. A non-profit group released a report that says at least one in seven households suffered from food hardship last year in 24 states with North Carolina being in the middle, at 17.

• More people are struggling to put food on the table because of low wages.
• In the report, they find that 16 percent of families didn't have enough money to buy food at least once last year
• "It's at historic lows or close to historic lows but wages haven't gone up in recent years,” said Jim Weill, president of FRAC

The Food Research and Action Center's president says the reason more people are struggling to put food on the table is because of low wages.

"It's at historic lows or close to historic lows but wages haven't gone up in recent years,” said Jim Weill, president of FRAC. “So people are still struggling working full time or part time, and they want to work full time."

It's something work placement agencies locally are also noticing.

"We recognized that we have improved economies and that is certainly a blessing,” said Chris Rivera, assistant director of Guilford County Workforce Development Board. “But we further recognized that those individuals that are currently unemployed or struggling to obtain employment are presenting to our career centers with more significant barriers."

The survey found that getting food is harder for families. In the report, they find that 16 percent of families didn't have enough money to buy food at least once last year.