Wake County Commissioners Approve $7.2 Million Food Plan

(Updated: March 5, 2025, 8:53 a.m.)

2023 Wake County Food Security Plan Update

In June 2022, N.C. Cooperative Extension, Wake County Center began the process of updating the 2018 Wake County Comprehensive Food Security Plan. On Monday, March 20th, the Wake County Food Security Program Manager, Sydney Klein Mierop, presented the update to Wake County Board of Commissioners.
Person holding a microphone and gesturing with right hand, wearing a name tag with printed text.
Wake County Food Security Program Manager, Sydney Klein Mierop speaking at the Resilience: Food For All panel discussion.

The Wake County Food Security Plan Update is the result of an extensive community engagement process, gathering insight from residents with lived experience of poverty, as well as practitioners actively working in food system roles.

The 2023 Food Plan Update outlines strategies and outcomes to maximize the $7.2 Million awarded by Wake County  and transition our current food security model from food charity to food resilience.

The funding will assist in the following objective areas - through community funding opportunities:
  • Improve Supply of Nutritious Food & Expand Farmer/Buyer Connections, Increase Production & Sustain Farms
  • Increase storage, efficiency, & accessibility of fresh food
  • Connect community with resources
  • Provide food as medicine programs
  • Develop community engagement opportunities and funding education

Total Investment: $7,267,253.00


 

In addition to the successful Wake County Food Plan Update, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) highlighted the effects of food insecurity in the state, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A group of professionals answering questions from a stage.

On Thursday March 23rd, NCACC partnered with Wake County, N.C. Cooperative Extension, and the NC State College of Agriculture & Life Sciences to show the award-winning documentary, Resilience: Food for All, and host a panel discussion with elected officials and local leaders at James B. Hunt Library on NC State Campus. This event kicked off with free, locally sourced food before premiering the documentary.

Four seated panelists on stage during a discussion; one holds papers, one a mic.
(Left to Right) Chris Baucom, NCACC Executive Producer & Video Creative Director; Crystal Taylor, Founder & CEO of Black Farmers Market; Kelis Johnson, NC State Student; Dr. Rich Bonanno, NC State Vice Provost for Outreach and Engagement & Associate Dean of CALS

Woman standing and speaking to a seated audience in a meeting room
Community member asking a question to the panel.

Resilience is a film that explores the challenges of food access in North Carolina and how heroes from all walks of life, including food growers, community volunteers, and county leaders, are working to strengthen food system resilience in local communities.

Watch it now!

More information on Food Security in Wake County: Food Security Program | Wake County Government

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Riley Holcraft
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