Two and a Half Years In: Our Food Bank Partnership Is Fighting Food Insecurity in Wake County — and the Funding Just Ran Out

For two and a half years, something quiet and steady has been happening every week. Our trucks leave our warehouse at the State Farmers Market loaded with fresh, local produce boxes, and they arrive at seven food pantries across Wake County where hungry families are waiting.

This work in partnership with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina has been made possible through a Wake County fund backed by federal COVID relief dollars. That funding ends September 30th, and there is no replacement in place.

"Now that we have seen the need... we just can't un-SEE it." — Amy White, Executive Director of Community of Hope Ministries

While this grant has its roots in COVID relief, food insecurity in Wake County today is actually worse than it was then. New data released this week by the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC shows nearly 630,000 people across our region are now food insecure — almost 180,000 more than at the height of the pandemic in 2021. Our own partner agencies are telling us the same thing: the calls for help are increasing every week.

Food insecurity shows up in more homes of our neighbors more than we think. A surprise medical bill, a second job that still doesn't cover groceries, a grandparent raising grandkids on a fixed income — food insecurity in Wake County has many faces. Safety nets like the Food Bank's partner agencies mean a bad month doesn't have to end in an empty fridge.

Here's what two and a half Years of this Food Bank partnership has meant:

33,475 Produce Boxes to date
7 Partner Agencies receiving about 1,430 boxes per month
468,768 Pounds of fresh produce and local eggs

None of this happens without our North Carolina farmers. Boxes have been sourced from more than 25 farms across 17 counties. These boxes don't just feed families in need — they keep farmers in business.

Produce Box distribution at Solid Rock Ministries, featuring Red's Quality Acre lettuce

This September, for Hunger Action Month, we're asking our community to help us bridge this gap. Since January, your generosity has already funded over 300 free boxes for families in Wake County. We want to keep that momentum going, specifically to fund October deliveries for our partner agencies.

Here's How You Can Help Local Families

Add a one-time donation at checkout from the checkout page.

Set up a recurring donation on your account that only charges you when you receive a delivery that week.
Skipping a delivery? You can choose to donate the value of that order instead.
Anytime, market open or not, you can click the orange floating heart on our site to give. Every dollar goes directly toward purchasing produce from our North Carolina farmers and packing it into boxes for families who need it most.

If you're able to make a larger gift, we can also connect you directly with our partner Kirk of Kildaire, where a tax-deductible donation can be earmarked to support their food distribution efforts serving up to 130 families weekly.

"One of the first things to go for a family faced with food insecurity is fresh produce. Without the Produce Boxes, I really worry about those kids." — Pantry Coordinator, Kirk of Kildaire

I will be sharing updates all month, including where the funds and farmers behind this work are going. Thank you for being part of something that matters so much to our community.

With gratitude,

Bailey

Director, The Produce Box