North Carolina’s largest single-day food drive has provided more than 5.8 million meals since 1993, helping families facing food insecurity across the state.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day at the North Carolina State Fair brought thousands of fairgoers together to support families facing hunger, collecting enough food to provide an estimated 170,000 meals in 2026.
Now in its 33rd year, the annual event has become North Carolina’s largest single-day food drive. Fairgoers were encouraged to donate six non-perishable food items in exchange for free admission to the State Fair, helping stock food pantry shelves throughout the region.
Since the program began in 1993, Hunger Relief Day has generated enough food to provide more than 5.8 million mealsto North Carolina families.
The food drive comes at a time when more than 1.7 million North Carolinians, approximately one in seven residents, are experiencing food insecurity. Donations help supply hundreds of local hunger relief organizations with essential items, including shelf-stable protein, peanut butter, pasta and soup.
“We’re deeply grateful to Smithfield Foods and everyone who attended the State Fair in support of neighbors facing hunger across North Carolina,” said Food Bank President & CEO Amy Beros. “At a time when so many more families are struggling with the rising cost of living, events like these remind us what’s possible when our community comes together.”
Smithfield Foods Continues Commitment to Fighting Hunger
The 2026 event marked the sixth year of Smithfield Foods’ partnership with the North Carolina State Fair and the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.
“The generosity shown by fairgoers this year reflects the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors that makes Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day so special,” said Jim Monroe, vice president of corporate affairs for Smithfield Foods. “As we celebrate the sixth year of our partnership with the N.C. State Fair and Food Bank, we remain committed to fighting food insecurity and helping more North Carolina families put food on the table.”
Through its Helping Hungry Homes program, Smithfield Foods has donated more than 345 million servings of protein since 2008, supporting hunger relief efforts and families in need across the United States.
The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina serves a 34-county region through a network of more than 700 partner programs, including food pantries, meal sites and community food assistance initiatives.
The continued partnership between Smithfield Foods, the State Fair and the Food Bank demonstrates how the pork industry, local communities and agricultural organizations can work together to address hunger and help families put food on the table.
To learn more about Smithfield Foods’ community initiatives, visit smithfieldfoods.com/good-is-what-we-do.
For more information about the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, visit FoodBankCENC.org.
Source: Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, October 26, 2026.
