Supporting Food Security: For Businesses

A display of brightly colored vegetables, legumes, and fruit.

The Role Businesses Can Play:

Wake County is home to many food security organizations, many of which rely almost entirely on donations and grants to fund their operations. Did you know there are over 220 pantries, and 45 community gardens that need your support?

The Wake County Cooperative Extension is working to foster long-term partnerships between businesses and nonprofits actively addressing hunger in our community. Our nonprofit partners are seeking businesses that want to build meaningful relationships and provide consistent, reliable support for food access initiatives. Predictable and sustained donations greatly strengthen a nonprofit’s ability to plan, operate, and respond effectively—ultimately making our communities more resilient and food secure.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach—businesses can support food access in ways that align with their values, resources, and creativity, and every contribution plays a meaningful role.

  • Host Food Drives

  • Sponsor Events

  • Donate a portion of profits from set days or event sales

  • Offer specialized items to sell where a portion of profits are donated

  • Provide free or discounted services to a partner non-profit

  • Encourage employees to donate and offer an employer match

  • Allow employees to use paid work hours to volunteer with local nonprofits

Need support?

Wake County Cooperative Extension’s Food Security Program is here to support businesses with identifying a nonprofit partner and brainstorming creative ways to support hunger that benefit you as the business owner.

Upcoming Events:

In partnership with The Capital Area Food Network (CAFN) we will be hosting events intended to inspire and connect businesses and food security non-profits operating in Wake County.

  • Upcoming Event: Late June

Individuals from businesses or Non-profits can sign up below to receive updates on upcoming and future events. Click here to sign up!