Murphy – The food insecurity rate for Cherokee County totals 17.3% of the total population, which is higher than the previous three years and 6.4% higher than the state rate for North Carolina, according to the State Action Plan for Nutrition Security.
Many people dealing with food insecurity rely on local food pantries for supplemental food, which collectively serve over 4,000 people – about 7% of the local population. All but one of these food pantries listed that they needed additional food support.
A program that N.C. Cooperative Extension has implemented to help combat local food insecurity while embracing the hobbies and local culture is the Venison Donation Program (VDON).
Many of the food pantry directors listed that fresh meat was often difficult to have consistently available at their local food pantries.
In October of 2023, Marlana Baker proposed the VDON program in partnership with N.C. Hunters for the Hungry. Adams Farms is the processor for the program that was approved in November 2023.
During the 2024 initial start-up, VDON partnered with four food pantries and provided 141 pounds of ground venison, enough for 564 meals.
The program further expanded in 2025 to include Clay, Cherokee and Graham counties.
During this season, 17 deer were donated across the three counties to eight participating food pantries. The donations totaled 652 pounds – enough for 2,608 meals.
“Our goal with the Extension Venison Donation Program is to create a sustainable bridge between our local natural resources and the food pantries that serve our vulnerable populations," Baker said. "We want to make sure no family in our community struggles to put healthy food on the table. This program allows us to utilize high-quality, local venison to meet that need head-on."
N.C. Cooperative Extension also runs a donation station in Cherokee County. This program is designed to improve access to fresh, locally-grown food while supporting the farmers who grow it.
This is another way that N.C. Cooperative Extension is working to battle food insecurity while raising awareness that a healthy local food system involves every member of the community.
The Donation Station began in July 2023 as a monthly setup. The Donation Station is run entirely by volunteers, meaning that there are no overhead fees or costs for this program.
“It’s a win for everyone," Baker said. "Farmers get what their produce is worth, community members most in need get fresh, local produce that they might not otherwise be able to access.”
In 2023, the Donation Station participated in three market days. During this time, more than 145 pounds of produce was donated, equating to $206.50 spent with local farmers.
In 2024, the Donation Station participated in six market days. During this time, 729 pounds of produce was donated, equating to $1,204 spent with local farmers.
Volunteers served a total of 49 hours, and the donated produce served 740 individuals – an estimated 370 families – through the Bellview Community Center, Moore House Ministries, and the Cherokee County Sharing Center.
In 2025, the Donation Station participated in five market days. During this time, 360 pounds of produce were donated, equating to $627 spent with local farmers. Volunteers served 40 hours, and the donated produce served families in need through Moore House Ministries and Murphy Free Methodist.
The Donation Station is located at the Murphy Farmers Market held every second and fourth Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the L&N Depot.
Shoppers at the market can drop off extra produce they’ve purchased or make a monetary donation at the station – 100% of the monetary donations are used by volunteers to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, and bread directly from farmers and stands at the market.
The collected food is delivered to hunger relief agencies to ensure everyone has access to high-quality, nutritious meals.
All donations from the second Saturday benefit Moore House Ministries Food Pantry, and all donations from the fourth Saturday benefit the Texana Community Center Food Distribution.
Families that wish to receive these donations can reach out to these local organizations to be placed on the recipients' list.
“By alternating between these partners, the Donation Station ensures a steady stream of fresh nutrition reaches different areas of Cherokee County,” Baker said.
Additional programs that work to decrease food insecurity include the Annual Extension Food Drive held each January-March, More In My Basket SNAP Education, Seed Libraries in the Murphy and Andrews Public Library, Foursquare Community Action Headstart in Murphy, and the Hiwassee Dam Senior/Community Center., which help families learn to grow their own food.
Cherokee Clay Food Alliance works with SNAP, providing food pantry support.
Others include the Brasstown Community Garden coming in 2026, Pantry Establishment Assistance to help support establishing new food pantries, Food Security Community Coalition in partnership with N.C. Cooperative Extension, Cherokee Clay Food Alliance, Murphy First United Methodist, and Cooking and Food Preservation Classes that teach hands-on skills.
Free food distribution locations are:
- Andrews Sunrise Senior Center;
- Bellview Community Center Food Distribution;
- Cherokee County Food Bank in Andrews;
- Cherokee County Sharing Center;
- Hiawassee Dam Community Center;
- Hiawassee Dam Senior Center Food Pantry;
- Mount Liberty Baptist Church;
- Moore House Ministries.
Times for food pick-ups can be found by contacting each distribution center.
Details: Visit go.ncsu.edu/cherokeecounty or email Marlana Baker at marlana_baker@ncsu.edu