North Carolina State Nutrition Action Coalition
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.
Jump to The NC Food and Nutrition Resource Programs Guide.
North Carolina Food and Nutrition Resource Programs
- Contact information for NC county social services agencies
- Pandemic EBT (P-EBT): Food assistance for families with children due to COVID-19
- Summer Meals: Text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304 in the summer months to find sites with free meals for kids
- NC211: Information and referral service provided by United Way of North Carolina
- NCCare360: Statewide coordinated care network to connect individuals to local services and resources
- Food Access Maps: Emergency food assistance maps for NC
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 that 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 Item
Food Delivery or Pick Up
- 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.
- The Emergency Food Assistance Programs (TEFAP) - Supplements the food needs of low-income households. Food packages are distributed by approved local agencies.
Meals or Snacks on site
- Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) - Ensures children and adults attending approved non-residential care facilities and at-risk afterschool programs receive nutritious meals.
- 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.
- Summer Nutrition Programs - Provides free meals to children during summer vacation. childnutrition.ncpublicschools.
Benefits to Purchase Food
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known in NC as Food and Nutrition Services (SNAP - FNS) - Provides benefits to purchase food.
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) - Provides nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, access to healthy foods 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. Program is not available statewide.
Nutrition Education
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-Ed) - Provides approaches to improve nutrition through direct education, multi-level interventions, community and public health approaches. Nine agencies in NC provide SNAP-Ed to different ages and locations.
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) - Provides nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, access to healthy foods 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. Program is not available statewide.
Food Delivery or Pick Up
- 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.
- The Emergency Food Assistance Programs (TEFAP) - Supplements the food needs of low-income households. Food packages are distributed by approved local agencies.
Benefits to Purchase Food
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known in NC as Food and Nutrition Services (SNAP - FNS) - Provides benefits to purchase food.
Nutrition Education
- Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) - Teaches youth and adult participants skills and strategies to feed their families nutritious meals on a limited budget and improve their overall health.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-Ed) - Provides approaches to improve nutrition through direct education, multi-level interventions, community and public health approaches. Nine agencies in NC provide SNAP-Ed to different ages and locations.
Food Delivery or Pick Up
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) - Provides a monthly package of food designed to supplement the nutritional needs of low-income senior citizens ages 60+. Food packages are distributed by approved local agencies.
- 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.
- Senior Nutrition Program - Congregate Meals and Home-delivered Meals - Provides nutritious meals and socialization to older adults.
- The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) - Supplements the food needs of low-income households. Food packages are distributed by approved local agencies.
Meals or Snacks on site
- Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) - Ensures children and adults attending approved non-residential care facilities and at-risk afterschool programs receive nutritious meals.
- Senior Nutrition Program - Congregate Meals and Home-delivered Meals - Provides nutritious meals and socialization to older adults.
Benefits to Purchase Food
- Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) - Provides eligible senior participants with benefits to purchase fruits and vegetables at local farmers’ markets. Program is not available statewide.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known in NC as Food and Nutrition Services (SNAP - FNS) - Provides benefits to purchase food.
Nutrition Education
- Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) - Teaches youth and adult participants skills and strategies to feed their families nutritious meals on a limited budget and improve their overall health.
- Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) - Provides eligible senior participants with benefits to purchase fruits and vegetables at local farmers’ markets. Program is not available statewide.
- Senior Nutrition Program - Congregate Meals and Home-delivered Meals - Provides nutritious meals and socialization to older adults.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-Ed) - Provides approaches to improve nutrition through direct education, multi-level interventions, community and public health approaches. Nine agencies in NC provide SNAP-Ed to different ages and locations.
Benefits to Purchase Food, and Nutrition Education
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) - Provides nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, access to healthy foods 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. Program is not available statewide.