Pop-Up Markets

Southern states face higher rates of food insecurity than any other region in the United States. Here in North Carolina, one in every seven of us doesn’t have consistent and reliable access to sufficient food for our families. These challenges are even deeper in Black and Latine communities throughout the state, where hunger is two-to-three times more prevalent.

Addressing hunger in our most hard-hit communities — especially areas without access to full grocery stores or traditional food pantries — is the surest path to reach our vision of a future where no one goes hungry. Our Pop-Up Markets bring fresh, culturally familiar and versatile directly to communities, helping sure everyone has the resources needed to thrive.

Our Pop-Up Markets are open to everyone.

There are no residency, income, or ID requirements to participate — and neighbors are free to shop for whatever items they may need.

Our Pop-Up Markets are open to everyone.

There are no residency, income, or ID requirements to participate — and neighbors are free to shop for whatever items they may need.

Our Pop-Up Markets are open to everyone.

 

Pop-Up Market Schedule: Central NC

  • 9/3 Halifax County

    Wednesday, September 3rd
    9am-11am
    *rescheduled due to Labor Day*

    Halifax County Center
    359 Ferrell Ln. Halifax, NC 27839

  • 9/3 Halifax County

    Wednesday, September 3rd
    9am-11am
    *rescheduled due to Labor Day*

    Halifax County Center
    359 Ferrell Ln. Halifax, NC 27839

  • 9/3 Halifax County

    Wednesday, September 3rd
    9am-11am
    *rescheduled due to Labor Day*

    Halifax County Center
    359 Ferrell Ln. Halifax, NC 27839

  • 9/3 Halifax County

    Wednesday, September 3rd
    9am-11am
    *rescheduled due to Labor Day*

    Halifax County Center
    359 Ferrell Ln. Halifax, NC 27839

  • 9/3 Halifax County

    Wednesday, September 3rd
    9am-11am
    *rescheduled due to Labor Day*

    Halifax County Center
    359 Ferrell Ln. Halifax, NC 27839

  • 9/3 Halifax County

    Wednesday, September 3rd
    9am-11am
    *rescheduled due to Labor Day*

    Halifax County Center
    359 Ferrell Ln. Halifax, NC 27839

  • 9/3 Halifax County

    Wednesday, September 3rd
    9am-11am
    *rescheduled due to Labor Day*

    Halifax County Center
    359 Ferrell Ln. Halifax, NC 27839

  • 9/3 Halifax County

    Wednesday, September 3rd
    9am-11am
    *rescheduled due to Labor Day*

    Halifax County Center
    359 Ferrell Ln. Halifax, NC 27839

Pop-Up Market Schedule: Eastern NC

  • 9/3 Halifax County

    Wednesday, September 3rd
    9am-11am
    *rescheduled due to Labor Day*

    Halifax County Center
    359 Ferrell Ln. Halifax, NC 27839

  • 9/3 Halifax County

    Wednesday, September 3rd
    9am-11am
    *rescheduled due to Labor Day*

    Halifax County Center
    359 Ferrell Ln. Halifax, NC 27839

  • 9/3 Halifax County

    Wednesday, September 3rd
    9am-11am
    *rescheduled due to Labor Day*

    Halifax County Center
    359 Ferrell Ln. Halifax, NC 27839

  • 9/3 Halifax County

    Wednesday, September 3rd
    9am-11am
    *rescheduled due to Labor Day*

    Halifax County Center
    359 Ferrell Ln. Halifax, NC 27839

  • 9/3 Halifax County

    Wednesday, September 3rd
    9am-11am
    *rescheduled due to Labor Day*

    Halifax County Center
    359 Ferrell Ln. Halifax, NC 27839

  • 9/3 Halifax County

    Wednesday, September 3rd
    9am-11am
    *rescheduled due to Labor Day*

    Halifax County Center
    359 Ferrell Ln. Halifax, NC 27839

  • 9/23 Leland

    Tuesday, September 23rd 
    9am-11am

    St. James AME Zion Church,
    27 Old Town Creek Rd NE, Leland, NC 28451

Have questions beyond what you see here? Please don't hesitate to reach out to our Pop-Market Team!

Frequently asked questions — and answers!

  • What is a Pop-Up Market?

    Pop-Up Markets are no cost food distributions directly facilitated by the Food Bank. Most are walk-up, client choice distributions, with volunteers stocking tables from pallets of food and assisting neighbors throughout.  

  • Are there any requirements to receive assistance?

    Come as you are! There are no income, ID, or residency requirements to receive assistance. We have a brief check-in process so that the Food Bank can track how many people are served. Phone numbers are collected at every distribution in the rare event of a product recall; you may also opt in to join our text message list to be notified in the event of a schedule change.  

  • What do I need to bring?

    We suggest bringing totes or boxes to make it easier to transport your groceries, but this is not required. Some boxes may be available from the pallets of food being distributed. We are not taking donations of grocery bags at this time. For walk-up distributions, we provide utility wagons that are used as shopping carts. For a drive-thru, volunteers load food directly into vehicles.  

  • What kind of food will be available?

    Everything distributed at Pop-Up Markets is provided by our generous donors – farmers, retailers, manufacturers and more. For this reason, the food we distribute varies based on availability; we cannot guarantee a specific product or quantity per household at any distribution. The most common foods we distribute include fresh produce, snacks, beverages, and retail bakery items. The Food Bank provides 8-10 pallets of food per distribution. 

  • What happens if the weather is bad?

    Our Pop-Up Markets team keeps a close eye on the forecast and avoids cancelling or rescheduling distributions unless it is necessary. At some locations, we can change walk-up distributions to a drive-thru. If there is a safety risk for attendees and volunteers (thunderstorms, icy roads, etc.), we will cancel or reschedule distributions on a case-by-case basis. If you opt in for text messages when checking in for a distribution, you will be notified of any cancellations or schedule changes at that location via text. We also will post any changes here and on our social media accounts.  

  • Where are Pop-Up Markets located? I don't see any in my area.

    All of us at the Food Bank are committed to equity and equal opportunity throughout our service area. We combine food insecurity statistics with our own distribution data to identify communities that do not sufficient access to grocery stores or traditional food assistance sites. Our Pop-Up Markets help fill these gaps while we work to grow local capacity. 

    With a network of more than 700 pantries, no-cost markets, meal sites, and delivery programs throughout the region, most communities have access to nutritious food through one of our many local partner organizations. Use our FoodFinder App to find locations near you!

     

  • How can I support Pop-Up Markets? Do you need volunteers?

    Yes! We're always looking for help — and it's easy to sign up using our Volunteer Calendar. For individuals or families, you can find Pop-Up opportunities under our Raleigh and Wilmington locations. If you’d like to bring a larger group, please reach out to your local Pop Up Markets Coordinator (contact information below) for additional information.

  • Can my organization host a Pop-Up Market? 

    Our Pop-up Markets If your organization is in an underserved area and has the capacity to support, there are many ways to get involved locally. We'd be honored to help find the best path to deepen your impact. 

    If your organization is interested in hosting Pop Up Markets, you may fill out this interest form. Please read over the program requirements and information provided carefully before submitting. The Pop Up Markets program has a limited scheduling capacity, and distributions are intentionally selected in underserved areas. If you are looking to get involved in the short-term, please consider collaborating with a partner agency near you. This information can be found using our Food Finder. 

Addiitional Resources in Your Community

Find free food and services in your community

Our network of 700+ local food assistance sites is here for everyone — inclusive of all races, religions, gender expressions, and immigration statuses.

Get help paying for groceries.

SNAP (FNS) is a lifeline for more than 1.4 million kids, seniors, people with disabilities, and working adults across North Carolina. Our team is here to help you access financial support to pay for groceries.

Senior Programs

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides monthly boxes of pantry staples for low-income individuals age 60+. We add fresh produce, dairy, and protein to help meet the dietary needs of seniors in our community.

Children's Programs

Through school-based pantries, snacks at afterschool programs, take-home options for weekends, and breakfast and lunches at summer meal sites, our Child Nutrition team partners with local schools and community centers to provide support to families year-round.c

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