In recent years, local food offerings by churches and civic groups have declined, and this trend continues. However, local food trucks have stepped in to fill the gap. One visible sign of this trend is the absence of one of the four old brick buildings that previously housed local churches or civic groups at the fair. The fair has had difficulty filling these buildings recently.
Assistant fair director Cary Hester explained, "There are fewer community groups able to find volunteers, so we decided to repurpose that area." Fair director Cheryle Hartley mentioned that the demolished building was in disrepair, and the fairgrounds staff is considering various options for the space, including additional picnic areas and more restrooms.
Meanwhile, the fair is actively recruiting food trucks from Winston-Salem, the Triad, and other parts of North Carolina. They aim to maintain a local touch, allowing people to try these trucks at the fair and then seek them out in the community afterward.
Some returning local trucks and trailers include Taste Jamaica, Emma’s Kitchen (Mexican), Stone’s Cold Espresso, Crazy Dog (Mexican), The Struggle Bus (coffee drinks), Boom! Boom! Boba, and Hickory Tree Turkey BBQ. Food Freaks, known for its unique burgers, is back at the fair for the first time since 2019, offering a special fair burger with donuts as buns and sriracha bacon jam as a topping.
Newcomers like Vice Cream, Mini Melts (specializing in beaded ice cream), Peach Cobbler Factory, Lelo's Cuban Cafe, G3’s Nutty Chocolatier (offering crepes), Maria's Mexican Tacos, and Chester’s with creative dishes like politician fries and pulled pork nachos are also part of the exciting food lineup at the fair.