(ASHEVILLE) -- The budget ax had better not come down on the federal food stamp program. That's the feeling of North Carolina's Chief of Economic Family Services Dean Simpson. She says it's one program that's truly doing good.

"In my opinion, it's a program that is really supporting those who are most in need. It's providing nutrition to families who have things going on within their lives that they need assistance."

Simpson adds that fraud and abuse of the program have decreased in the years since EBT cards replaced the old paper coupons. She says that with the electronic cards, the benefits are secure and users are limited to purchasing only USDA-approved items.