Make Your Plan: Hunger Action Month

Burkett Farm was built on a simple belief: everyone should have access to fresh, healthy food, regardless of income. Twelve years later, that mission is more important than ever, as the food security landscape in North Carolina is facing considerable challenges. 

The number of people that are facing food insecurity is on the rise. Current estimates show that 15.5% of the state’s population are struggling to have enough food, and the rate is even higher — 21.5% — in children. 

September is Hunger Action Month, and organizations on the front lines are organizing opportunities to donate, volunteer, and engage with leaders on solutions to address this worsening problem. We’ve highlighted a few opportunities; find one that fits you and take an active role in ensuring that our local food system works for everyone.

Burkett Farm Opportunities

Volunteer

Purchase

Head to Boulted Bread in downtown Raleigh and pick up a bouquet of Burkett Farm flowers! These blooms are pesticide and herbicide free, and every dollar raised is donated to Feed-Well Fridges, an organization in Chatham County that manages six free community fridges.

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Community Partner Opportunities

• Wake County Youth Food Security Summit (9/12)

  Wake County’s teen-led summit is designed for high schoolers to engage with the root causes of food insecurity, and develop strategies and plans of action to address them. Attendees will participate in hands-on activities, conversations with local food security experts, and workshops. High school students can register here. 

• Plate It Forward (Runs All Month)

  What better way to support food security than by enjoying some of the most delicious bites in the Triangle, from buffalo chicken cutlet sandwich at East Cut to Carolina Gold Rice Pulao at Peregrine. It’s part of this month-long initiative: Visit the participating restaurants and bars to try special menu items where a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC. All month; see the full list of participating businesses here. 

• Webinar: SNAP Out of It, NC (9/23)

  One of the compounding factors that has led to increased food and nutrition insecurity in the last 12 months is the federal changes to SNAP, the nation’s largest food security program. In this webinar hosted by RAFI, get a high-level overview of the program, and how changes will impact North Carolinians moving forward. September 23, 12-1pm; register here. 

• Feed-Well Fridges Pay What You Can Community Feast (9/27)

  Help support the work of Feed-Well Fridges by attending this farm dinner at Chatham Oaks Farm. Multiple food and beverage businesses will be providing the menu, which will be served family-style. The event is kid-friendly. Register here.