Advocacy & Policy

The Food Bank’s Public Policy Platform 

In the 34 counties the Food Bank serves, more than 500,000 people face hunger. While these numbers are encouraging in that they are lower than previous projections of food insecurity, it is imperative to state: no one should be hungry.

As part of the work of building solutions to end hunger, the Food Bank operates from a public policy and advocacy platform that addresses federal, state, and municipal policies that impact hunger relief and support an environment where all North Carolinians thrive. With a focus on continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the increased cost of living, and a potential recession, the Food Bank advocates for policies that support food insecurity decline and solutions to permanent hunger.

Family of 4 smiles, one girl in her father's arms

Protect & Strengthen Nutrition Programs

Federal nutrition benefits lift millions of families and individuals out of poverty, alleviate food insecurity, and have positive economic impact in the communities we serve.

The Food Bank operates U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition programs such as TEFAP, SNAP, CSFP, and childhood nutrition programs. Through the budget process and other actions, the Food Bank advocates for the protection, and where warranted, expansion, of these programs to support individuals and families most at risk of being food insecure.

Food Systems

Consistent access to donated nutritious food depends on statewide food systems that are sustainable, and encourages the donation of food excess. This requires an effective and equitable policy environment for agriculture, food manufacturing, food businesses, and others.

The Food Bank advocates for policies that strengthen food donation tax incentives, and policies to increase food donation and the ability to utilize excess food, to avoid it going to waste. The Food Bank also supports programs that provide resources to allow for innovative food access programs which help offset the cost to harvest, pack, and transport excess food.

Box with a bag of potatoes and several ears of corn
Nutrition Director Sara cooks at a small demo kitchen

Community Health

The Food Bank not only feeds people who are hungry; we work to empower community health. The nutritional value of the foods people can access and eat has a profound impact on our community’s overall health, as does access to services like affordable healthcare, housing support, and education.

The Food Bank prioritizes partnerships, policies, and programs that positively impact the health and wellness of people we serve.

Advancing Equity in Service

The Food Bank has an all-encompassing value and priority of equity, diversity, and inclusion. It is incumbent upon us to apply this value both internally and externally to improve how we advocate for and engage with our partners and community members.

Along with our partners at USDA and Feeding America, we will look for opportunities to address, inform, and advocate for opportunities and policies that address systemic inequities and determine ways to best engage external stakeholders and community members to increase participation in programs, services, committees, and decision-making processes.

Ready to Take Action?

  • Find your Federal & State Representatives, to learn their positions and ways to contact them: here or here.

  • Visit Feeding America’s Advocate microsite to take action on the urgent issues that impact the people we serve.