Healthy Food pantry initiatives combine hunger relief efforts with nutrition information and healthy eating opportunities for individuals and families with low incomes. Such initiatives offer clients healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean proteins, and can implement client choice models. Healthy food initiatives can also modify the food environment via efforts such as on-site cooking demonstrations and recipe tastings, and healthy meal kits. Some food pantries and food banks establish partnerships with health and nutrition professionals to offer screening for food insecurity and medical conditions (e.g., diabetes), provide nutrition and health education, and health care support services as part of their healthy food initiatives.

• Catholic Charities
• Churches Outreach Network
• Food Bank
• Pitt County Cooperative Extension
• Pitt County Health Department
• Pitt County Farm and Food Council
• Pitt County Schools
• Pitt Partners for Health 

Participation in the Healthy Food Pantry tasting events has increased sharply from 8 participants in early 2023 to 80 in late 2025. Growth is largely driven by stronger community partnerships, better outreach, and more engaging activities such as cooking demonstrations, recipe tastings, and client‑choice models that make the program more appealing.

Throughout the years, over 90% of the participants we were able to follow up with reported that they plan to use the healthy recipes, demonstrating consistently strong interest and confidence among respondents. This steady level of enthusiasm highlights the effectiveness of the tastings and education provided. It also points to an opportunity to expand follow‑up efforts so even more participants can share their feedback, helping the program continue to strengthen its impact.

Overall, the program is trending positively, with rising engagement and strong collaboration. Addressing the remaining barriers to recipe adoption will help ensure families can confidently use the healthy foods and skills introduced through the program.