North Carolina’s State Nutrition Action Coalition (SNAC) is a state-level collaborative with active representation from state agencies and nonprofits that implement the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) programs. Together, the SNAC partnering organizations reach people throughout their life span, providing food benefits, nutrition education, healthy community changes, and obesity prevention services to reduce food insecurity and improve the quality of life of North Carolinians. The information below has been compiled by NC SNAC to assist with finding resources for food.

North Carolina Food and Nutrition Resource Programs

The NC Food and Nutrition Resource Programs Guide

The guide provides a snapshot of fourteen different USDA FNS programs available in North Carolina. These programs provide a vital source of support and act as a stimulus for local economies. This resource guide is designed to be used by anyone who directly works with people who may benefit from knowing more about these USDA programs and how to access them. NC Food and Nutrition Resource Programs guide is available in a downloadable print version below and through the USDA programs listed. To receive additional printed copies of this resource, please contact NC.SNACmail@gmail.com

NC Food and Nutrition Resource Guide:  English, Spanish

NC Food and Nutrition Resources: Go to the category for the person needing food or nutrition services.

Tab/Accordion Items

Families balancing a limited income may be eligible to participate in several North Carolina food benefit programs. These programs include North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services (FNS).

If your household receives FNS benefits, this program can help you qualify to receive financial assistance through the following programs:

Meals On-Site

  • School Meals - National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and After School Snack Program (NSLP, SBP, ASSP) - Provides children and teenagers breakfast, lunch and snacks that meets federal nutrition standards in NC public schools. Contact your local school for more information and to apply.
  • Summer Nutrition Program - Provides free meals to children during summer vacation from school. During the summer, you can text FOOD (or COMIDA for Spanish) to 304-304 and provide your address, zip code or city to be directed to on-site meals near you or call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) (Spanish) to find summer meals. You can also use the NC Site Finder Map to find free nutritious meals for children in North Carolina (updated weekly during traditional summer operating months).

Food Delivery or Pick Up Programs

  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) - Provides USDA foods to income-eligible households living on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians reservation and to Native American households residing in designated counties (Jackson, Swain, Cherokee and Graham) near the reservation.

Additional Food Benefits

  • The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) - Provides food assistance benefits to access nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to healthcare and social services for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children under age 5.
  • WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) - Provides eligible WIC participants with benefits to purchase fruits and vegetables at local farmers’ markets. The program runs seasonally (dates for the 2023 season to be determined) and is not available statewide.
  • SUN Bucks -Provides grocery-buying benefits to qualifying families with school-aged children during the summer months when schools are on summer break. SUN Bucks benefits are issued to debit-like cards (EBT cards) that families can use to purchase nutritious food. Many families will automatically qualify, and some will need to apply.

Nutrition Education

Agency/Provider Resources

  • WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) - Provides eligible WIC participants with benefits to purchase fruits and vegetables at local farmers’ markets. The program runs seasonally (dates for the 2023 season to be determined) and is not available statewide.

Individuals balancing a limited income may be eligible to participate in several North Carolina food benefit programs. These programs include North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services (FNS).

If you receive FNS benefits, this program can help you qualify to receive financial assistance through the following programs:

Food Delivery or Pick Up Programs

  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) - Provides USDA foods to income-eligible households living on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians reservation and to Native American households residing in designated counties (Jackson, Swain, Cherokee and Graham) near the reservation.

Nutrition Education

Agency/Provider Resources

North Carolina FNS

Senior citizens balancing a limited income may be eligible to participate in several North Carolina food benefit programs. These programs include North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services (FNS).

If you receive FNS benefits, this program can help you qualify to receive financial assistance through the following programs:

Food Delivery or Pick Up Programs

Meals On-Site

Additional Food Benefits

  • Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) - Provides eligible senior participants with benefits to purchase fruits and vegetables at local farmers’ markets. The program runs seasonally from July through September and is not available statewide.

Nutrition Education

Agency/Provider Senior Resources

  • Senior Resources – Communications Toolkit - NCDHHS has prepared a senior resources toolkit with the goal of increasing easy access to information for seniors and organizations across the state about food assistance and other resources available to help with common expenses.
  • Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) - Program for approved non-residential care facilities (e.g., adult day program) that provides support to facilities serving nutritious meals and snacks to attending adults.
  • Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) - Program that supports approved local agencies in the distribution of  a monthly package of food designed to supplement the nutritional needs of low-income senior citizens ages 60+. 

Benefits to Purchase Food, and Nutrition Education

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