Food security is ...

The annual Extension Food Drive is held each year from February - March with donations distributed to Cherokee County food pantries in April. Extension partners with community organizations to collect non-perishable items to support local food pantries and food insecure individuals and families in Cherokee County.

Donation Stations seek to improve access to fresh, locally-grown food while supporting the farmers who grow it. They are designed to combat local food insecurity while raising awareness that a healthy local food system must include every member of the community. Often it is set up as a booth at a local farmers market with a place to donate local food/monetary donations. The donations received will then buy more produce to support local food pantries as well as farmer income.

Donation Station is fully ran by our Extension Master Food Volunteers and is held every 2nd and 4th Saturday at the Murphy Farmers Market from May-September of each year.

In partnership with Adam Farms Processing and North Carolina Hunters for the Hungry, the Extension Venison Donation Program started September 2024 by Agent Marlana Baker in Cherokee County in an effort to decrease food insecurity and support local food pantries. The program expanded in 2025 to include venison donations back to Cherokee, Clay, and Graham counties. Currently, the program serves 8 food pantries and has provided venison for over 3,000 meals.

Visit the Venison Donation Page for more information

More In My Basket (MIMB) was developed in 2010 at NC State University to increase food security through education and application assistance. MIMB is a research-based program that educates families on food resource management behaviors and facilitates access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by addressing identified barriers to application. MIMB serves all of North Carolina.

Program Components:

EDUCATION

MIMB staff and Extension Agents provide education about FNS through presentations to community groups and also share information at large-scale events, such as resource fairs. During programs, participants learn about FNS eligibility criteria, allowable food purchases, how to use an EBT card, myths, and ways to apply.

View our calendar to learn about upcoming events in your area.

OUTREACH

Partnerships are cultivated with local community groups to extend outreach efforts across North Carolina.

APPLICATION ASSISTANCE

MIMB staff provide assistance to people who are interested in applying for SNAP. Staff answer questions and conduct screenings to help individuals determine eligibility for SNAP. If a person is likely-eligible, they can receive assistance with completing and submitting an application.

Assistance (which is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese) is provided on-site at various community events in North Carolina and through a toll free telephone assistance line.

Please contact us if you would like assistance or to discuss partnerships.

Follow us on Instagram @moreinmybasket

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