Donations of Food

People struggle with hunger every day in our communities, and food donations are needed year round. The Food Bank accepts a wide variety of donations from community food drives to large-scale food industry donations. 

Learn more about:
General Food or Food Drive Donations | Food Industry or Retail Donations

General Food or Food Drive Donations

The Food Bank welcomes non-perishable products, sealed beverages, refrigerated or frozen items, or produce as well as non-food essentials such as hygiene items, cleaning items or paper products.

Our most needed items include:

• Canned Fruits, Vegetables, Meat, and Soup (Pop-top cans and low sodium a plus!)
• Whole Grain Pasta, Brown Rice, Dried Beans, and Cereal
• Peanut Butter
• For Infants: Pedialyte, Infant Cereal, Diapers, and Wipes
• For Kids: Fruit Cups, Juice Boxes, Granola Bars, Crackers, Popcorn and Sugar-Free Pudding Cups
• Non-Food Essentials: Hygiene Items, Household Items, and Paper Products

*Please - No loose glass and plastic jars of baby food as they will have to be discarded due to health regulations

Print the Most Needed Items List »

Individuals, organizations, or businesses are invited to hold community food drives or drop off donated items at our six branch locations. Donations are also accepted at special events held in various locations throughout the year.
(See a list of current events.)

For detailed information about launching a food drive, please visit our Get Involved: Food Drive page.

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Food Industry or Retail Donations

The Food Bank depends upon the generosity of the food industry. We recover excess products from manufacturers, wholesalers, growers, packers, distributors, supermarkets and others. Local food industry partners such as Food Lion, Walmart, Reser's Fine Foods, local farmers, Society of St. Andrews, Bimbo Bakeries, Bruce Foods, Mt. Olive Pickles, Kroger, Harris Teeter, Target, and many more have joined together to fight hunger with us in central and eastern North Carolina.

We gladly accept product that is safe for consumption, yet unsaleable for many reasons including test or promotional product, short-coded items, off-spec inventory, produce with cosmetic flaws, dented cans or bulk items in pallet or truckload quantities.
View the Benefits of Donating flyer »

As a Food Industry donor, you are protected from liability by the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, passed by Congress in 1996. Citizens and businesses who donate wholesome food or grocery product in good faith to the Food Bank for distribution to people in need can feel good about their donations. In addition, key Food Bank staff members and partner agencies are trained in safe food handling.
View the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act flyer »

There are also significant tax benefits for your business. Under certain circumstances, contributions to a public charity may be allowed an incresed deduction.
View the Food Industry Tax Benefits flyer »

Questions about what can be donated? Please let us know! Don't let good food go to waste... Contact our Food Resources Manager or call 919-865-3019 today.

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