Tracing the Roots of Nutrition Access: University to the Triangle (2025-2026)

This project examined how community-driven partnerships can improve food access, reduce food waste and strengthen food security in Durham and across the Triangle region. Building on previous research, the team partnered with the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina to better understand how the charitable food system can work more effectively with community organizations, health systems and residents to address persistent food insecurity.

Team members developed a research plan in collaboration with Food Bank staff, studied food insecurity and federal nutrition policy, and engaged with local food system leaders through guest speakers, volunteer experiences and community partnerships. The team analyzed open-ended responses from the Food Bank’s Agency Optimization Survey, which included feedback from 529 partner food agencies across the region. The analysis identified key resource and capacity challenges, including outreach, partnerships, funding, distribution models, storage and refrigeration infrastructure, workforce capacity and relationships with the Food Bank.

The findings led to actionable recommendations for strengthening the charitable food network and improving equitable food access. The team identified opportunities to optimize existing resources, improve communication among partners and expand investments in collaborative partnerships. By highlighting the needs and perspectives of hundreds of frontline food agencies, the project generated evidence to help the Food Bank and its partners better coordinate services, reduce inefficiencies and strengthen regional efforts to address food insecurity.

Timing

Summer 2025 – Spring 2026

Team Outputs

Structural Barriers and Capacity Constraints in North Carolina Food Pantries (Poster presentation at the Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase, April 15, 2026)

Project report (in progress)

See related teams, Tracing the Roots of Nutrition Access: University to Community (2024-2025) and Tracing the Roots of Nutrition Access: Local Communities to Schools (2026-2027).