NACS Foundation Recovers 95,000 Pounds of Food at 2026 NACS Show

At the close of the 2026 NACS Show on October 9 in Las Vegas, the NACS Foundation, Vontier and FoodRecovery.org recovered 94,906 pounds of surplus food from the Expo to help fight food insecurity in the Las Vegas area through the NACS Foundation’s Neighborhood Nourish program.

Unused food from exhibitors and event activities was collected by 76 volunteers and distributed through the Las Vegas-based Three Square Food Bank’s local network to provide meals for individuals and families in need across Southern Nevada.

“Through the donations collected, we were able to provide the equivalent of 79,088 meals to help support people in our community facing food insecurity. We’re incredibly grateful to NACS and all of the participating exhibitors for helping make that impact possible,” said Kelsey Yoder, donation and supply chain analyst at Three Square Food Bank.

The 94,906 pounds of food included: 41,993 pounds of freezer and cooler items, 37,929 pounds of beverages and 14,984 pounds of dry goods.

FoodRecovery.org also recovered nine trays of chicken and biscuits from Krispy Krunchy Chicken during the Expo, which was donated to a local mutual aid organization.

"One of the most memorable moments of the week happened after the show floor closed, when volunteers from across the industry and community came together to recover and redistribute food that would have otherwise gone to waste,” said Elaine Kanak, chief marketing officer of Vontier. “At Vontier, we're proud to support initiatives that turn collaboration into meaningful action. Seeing that level of commitment firsthand, with so many people giving their time to ensure food reached those who need it most, was incredibly inspiring and reinforced the power of what our industry can accomplish when we work together."

The NACS Foundation’s Neighborhood Nourish program helps the convenience retail industry come together to address food insecurity while promoting sustainability through food recovery efforts and hunger relief programs like its new meal packing events. By mobilizing volunteers and coordinating donations across the industry, the program creates a direct and measurable impact for communities where need is greatest.

Additionally during the week, the NACS Foundation raised funds on site for children facing food insecurity. Contributions from individual donors totaled the equivalent of 5,517 meals for children.

"Convenience stores make a difference in the communities they serve and that’s also true for attendees at the NACS Show, the industry’s largest annual event," said Kevin O'Connell, executive director of the NACS Foundation. "We are proud to work with retail and supplier members and technology partners like Vontier to give back."

Margaret Mannion, a director of government relations at NACS and food-policy expert, added: “Our public policy work and the Neighborhood Nourish program are natural complements. Convenience stores are often the only retail options in rural and urban areas. NACS has a long history of advocating for policies that make it easier for these retailers to serve their entire communities and provide convenient and nutritious options.”

“Food insecurity is a local problem, and convenience stores are as local as it gets,” said Sammie Paul, executive director of FoodRecovery.org, an online platform connecting organizations with surplus food to communities in need. “We're proud to help turn surplus from the NACS Show into support for the community hosting this year's event. With SNAP changes putting more pressure on families and food banks, partnerships like this have never mattered more.”

Help the NACS Foundation keep this momentum going. Visit conveniencecares.org/donate to support Neighborhood Nourish and help ensure that more food across the convenience industry reaches more families facing hunger. NACS will match every dollar donated through December 31, 2026, doubling your impact and helping to provide even more meals to communities in need.