The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has a wide variety of programs and services that affect the lives and livelihood of North Carolina residents almost every day. The department also:

• Inspects gas pumps, commercial scales, price scanners and other tools of trade to make sure consumers get what they pay for.         
  Standards Division        
   
• Ensures a safe food supply through inspections at grocery stores and food processing facilities.         
  Food and Drug Protection Division, Meat and Poultry Inspection Division        
   
• Provides free soil sample testing to help homeowners improve yards and gardens.         
  Agronomic Services Division       
   
• Protects farmland and open space for current and future generations.         
  Environmental Programs Division, Division of Soil and Water Conservation     
   
• Works to reduce pet overpopulation through the spay/neuter program and inspects pet food for safety.         
  Veterinary Division, Food and Drug Protection Division     
   
• Protects your home investment by training and licensing structural pest control professionals.         
  Structural Pest Control and Pesticides Division    
   
• Supports school lunch programs and hunger relief agencies by delivering USDA commodities.         
  Food Distribution Division   
   
• Operates five regional farmers markets in Asheville, Charlotte, Colfax, Lumberton and Raleigh.         
  Marketing Division  
   
• Responds to wildfires and natural disasters.         
  N.C. Forest Service, Emergency Programs Division 
   
• Helps get locally grown products into schools through the Farm to School Program.         
  Food Distribution Division, Marketing Division