Talk of the Fair: Why is Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day important to you?

Since 1993, the N.C. State Fair has hosted Hunger Relief Day, and over the years, fairgoers have donated more than six million pounds of food to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and its partners. It has become the largest one-day food drive in the state.

It’s also become a tradition for North Carolinians to give back to the community while also gaining free admission to the fair. While the sponsor has changed over the years – including Food Lion, Winn-Dixie, Pepsi and now Smithfield Foods – the purpose has remained. The food bank takes the food that’s donated and distributes it to help dozens of partner agencies and countless families.

Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day once again offered each fairgoer the option to bring six non-perishable food items to the fair gates in exchange for one free admission ticket. The company’s sponsorship makes it possible for the fair to offer free admission on this special day.

We asked folks who were part of the 2025 Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day why the day is important to them. Here’s what they had to say.

I think being a part of any day that you have the ability to help people is definitely a reason to come out and support. Anytime that you can help your community members who are in the middle of feeling food insecurity, it’s time to come out. There is a perk for fairgoers too, and the kids can enjoy it and come out too, so it’s a win for all.”

Lanie VanDrake, fairgoer from Union Grove (Iredell County)

“This is an event that that since I’ve had this job, I look forward to every year. I mean, at the end of the day, I was thinking about this while the speakers were talking while ago, and connecting the people that grow food with the people that need food is a very important thing. I mean, obviously, for Smithfield with our Helping Hungry Homes program, our partnership with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, we don’t want anybody to go to bed hungry. And so we’re we’re just very enthusiastic and happy about the partnerships that we have, all the volunteers we have out here supporting Smithfield’s Hunger Relief Day. And really, it’s something we can all be proud of.”

Kraig Westerbeek, president of hog production at Smithfield Foods

“I think it’s really important that we take care of everybody around us and that we’re always supporting each other and just there for each other, even if it means providing a meal.”

Lily Cappelletti, volunteer

“Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day is about the community. It’s the community coming together to help community members. We’re so excited to have neighbors coming today to bring food. Within days, these [donations] will be meals on the table of neighbors across our state.”

Amy Beros, CEO of the Food Bank of Central Eastern North Carolina