Food Assistance Resources in North Carolina

Last updated September 29, 2026

If you or your family are struggling to put food on the table, North Carolina has several well-established programs that can help. Whether you need ongoing grocery support, help for young children and pregnant women, or a box of food to get through the week, there are real options available—and people whose job it is to connect you to them.

The fastest way to find out what you qualify for is to call 2-1-1 (dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898-211). This free, confidential helpline is available 24/7 across North Carolina and can point you to SNAP enrollment help, local food pantries, WIC clinics, and emergency food assistance near you. You can also search online at nc211.org.

For formal benefit programs, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and its county Department of Social Services (DSS) offices administer most state and federally funded food assistance. Your county DSS office is typically your first stop for applying to SNAP or other benefits—find your local office through the NCDHHS website at ncdhhs.gov.

Key programs in North Carolina

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

Provides a monthly benefit loaded onto an EBT card that can be used to purchase groceries at most major and many local grocery stores. Eligibility is based on household size and income.

How to access: Apply online at epass.nc.gov, in person at your county Department of Social Services office, or call 2-1-1 for help finding your local DSS. You will need to complete an interview and provide documentation of income and household members.

WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children)

Provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age 5 who meet income guidelines.

How to access: Contact your local health department or call 2-1-1 to find the nearest WIC clinic in North Carolina. You can also visit ncdhhs.gov and search for WIC to find clinic locations and learn what documents to bring.

The Food Bank Network of North Carolina

North Carolina is served by a network of regional food banks—including Feeding the Carolinas member banks—that supply hundreds of local food pantries, mobile distributions, and meal programs across all 100 counties. These pantries typically provide emergency food boxes at no cost, often without income verification.

How to access: Call 2-1-1 or visit nc211.org to find food pantries and distributions near you. You can also go directly to the website of your regional food bank (such as foodbankcenc.org for central and eastern NC, secondharvestnwnc.org for the northwest, or loavesfishesnc.org for the Piedmont) to find a pantry locator.

CACFP / School Meals (Child Nutrition Programs)

Federally funded programs that provide free or reduced-price meals to income-eligible children at school (National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs) and in childcare settings (Child and Adult Care Food Program). Summer meal programs extend food access when school is not in session.

How to access: Contact your child's school or childcare provider to apply for free or reduced-price meals. For summer meal sites, call 2-1-1 or text FOOD (or COMIDA for Spanish) to 304-304 during summer months to find a nearby location.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) for Older Adults

Provides monthly boxes of USDA commodity foods—such as canned goods, cereals, and dairy—to low-income adults aged 60 and older. This program is administered at the local level in participating counties across North Carolina.

How to access: Availability varies by county. Call 2-1-1 to find out whether CSFP is offered near you and how to get on a waiting list. Your local Area Agency on Aging can also help—find it through the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or eldercare.acl.gov.

Food Assistance resources for North Carolina

211 (United Way)

Nationwide

Free, confidential referral line for food, and other essential local services. Dial 211.

211
Visit

Feeding America

Nationwide

Nationwide network of food banks connecting people to local pantries and meal programs.

1-800-771-2303
Visit

SNAP (USDA Food & Nutrition Service)

Nationwide

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — monthly benefits to buy food for eligible low-income individuals and families.

Visit
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