On the last day of the 2025 NACS Show (October 17, 2025), the NACS Foundation, partner Vontier Corporation and FoodRecovery.org came together to support the Foundation’s Neighborhood Nourish Program—an initiative fighting hunger, reducing food waste and strengthening communities—by collecting and donating items leftover from the event to local community programs in Chicago.
After the Expo closed, 80 volunteers recovered 120,380 pounds of food and drinks from 49 exhibitors, equal to more than 100,000 meals.
“A special thanks to the volunteers who showed up on-site Friday to sort, pack and load donations. Your efforts helped ensure these items went directly to support communities across the city—making a real and immediate impact. Every meal matters. Every effort counts. Thank you,” said Kevin O’Connell, executive director of the NACS Foundation.
Items rescued included: beef jerky, mixed nuts, snacks, cereal, protein bars, mixed drinks, whole chickens, mixed dairy products (yogurt and smoothies), bottled water, candy and chocolate. The food then was distributed to five different Chicago-based organizations: Breakthrough, Shepherd’s Hope, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Mission of Our Lady of Angels and Hands of Hope.
“Partnering with Neighborhood Nourish aligns with the Vontier Foundation’s mission to drive positive change in the communities we serve. Together we’re working with the broader convenience retail industry to fight food insecurity, create healthier, more resilient communities, and contribute to a culture of giving and sustainability,” said Chief Administrative Officer of Vontier and President of the Vontier Foundation, Katie Rowen.
Sammie Paul, executive director of FoodRecovery.org, added: “Working with Kevin and the NACS Foundation for the last six months to plan an extremely successful food recovery event is nothing short of amazing. As the government shutdown continues and SNAP benefits are about to be paused on November 1, we are grateful to make sure this good food did not go to waste.”
Even as inflation has steadied, food costs remain “sticky,” keeping basic meals out of reach for millions of Americans. According to Map the Meal Gap 2025, the average cost of a meal hovers near $4 nationally, and is much higher in urban centers and rural areas, or “food deserts,” where the rate of food insecurity is high. Local food banks in major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and Houston report demand increases of up to 30% in just the past three months.
Many families experiencing financial hardship fall into the growing A.L.I.C.E. (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) category—workers who keep communities running but can’t afford basic necessities.
“A lot of people are turning toward the emergency food system: soup kitchens, food pantries, food banks. At the same time, all of those groups are receiving a lot less food,” said Paul during the “Neighborhood Nourish: Feeding Communities, Reducing Waste and Building Your Brand” Education Session at the 2025 NACS Show. “There is a lot less produce and fresh food that is entering into the whole emergency food system, so there is an increased need with a big reduction in food supply. The time to act is now to really make a difference.”
By donating unsold prepared foods, such as bakery items or sandwiches, c-stores can make an immediate difference, said presenters during the session.