Need food assistance now? Download printable information in English and Spanish.

Grocery Buying Benefits

• Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) – Food benefits that are issued on a debit-like card for families to purchase groceries. Visit ncdhhs.gov/fns for more information.
• SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) – Grocery-buying benefits in a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child on a debit-like card that can be used to buy nutritious food during the summer months when schools are out. Visit ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks to learn more.
• The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) – Provides food assistance benefits, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health care and social services for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and infants and children under age five. Visit ncdhhs.gov/ncwic for more info.
• FNS and Double Bucks at Farmers Markets – Many farmers markets across North Carolina accept FNS benefits, and several of them offer a ‘Double Bucks’ program, doubling the value of these benefits. To contact a farmers market visit NC Farm Fresh. For a list of markets participating in Double Bucks visit RAFI USA.

Meals for Children and Families

• Free and Reduced-Priced (FRP) school meals – Provides school meals to students at no cost. Households should contact their child’s school for more information and to apply.
• Free Summer Meals for Kids – Find free meals during the summer months by visiting
  summermeals4nckids.org or calling 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) (Spanish)
• Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) – Ensures children and adults attending approved non-residential care facilities and at-risk after-school programs receive nutritious meals. Visit nutritionnc.com/snp for more information.
• Cherokee Tribal Foods Distribution Program – Distributes nutritious foods to eligible households living within the four county areas of the Qualla Indian Boundary (lands in Jackson, Swain, Cherokee and Graham counties) and fall within USDA regulations. Visit phhs.ebci-nsn.gov/tribal-food-distribution-program/ to learn more and apply for benefits.

Meals for Seniors

• 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. Visit ncdhhs.gov/divisions/aging/north-carolina-seniors-farmers-market-nutrition-program to learn more.
• Senior Nutrition Program – Congregate Meals and Home-delivered Meals – Provides nutritious meals and socialization to older adults. Visit ncdhhs.gov/divisions/aging/congregate-and-home-delivered-meals to learn more.

Immediate and Local Assistance

• North Carolina Food Banks and Food Pantries – For immediate food needs, food banks and pantries provide groceries and meals at no cost. Visit FeedingtheCarolinas.org to find a pantry or food bank near you.
• Community Gardens – Many communities across North Carolina operate community gardens, providing fresh local produce to neighbors in need. Visit the American Community Gardening Association to find and contact a garden near you.

Referral and Information

• NC 2-1-1 – Find organizations in your community providing health and human services by visiting www.nc211.org.
• NC College Food Benefits – If you attend a NC College, Visit nccollegefoodbenefits.org to find out if you may be eligible for food benefits in NC.
• NC Care 360 – Statewide coordinated care network toconnect individuals to local services and resources. Visit nccare360.org to learn more.
• Food Access Maps – Find emergency food assistance using these maps of resources for NC Food Access Maps | NCDHHS.
• NC State Nutrition Action Coalition – For more information on the various food assistance programs offered in North Carolina visit North Carolina State Nutrition Action Coalition.