An event was held at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church to celebrate the culmination of nine years of Mecklenburg County Public Health’s Edible Landscape Program and the construction of its 50th Edible Landscape. This church is significant as it was the location for the first such landscape in the county. The latest project, Habitat for Humanity’s The Meadows at Plato Price, marks this milestone.
The Edible Landscapes program, which has received awards for its initiatives, establishes community gardens and orchards to supply fresh produce to communities in need. These projects are realized through partnerships between Mecklenburg County Public Health and various community and faith-based organizations situated in food-insecure neighborhoods.
“We’re proud to see the Edible Landscape program continue to grow with this new milestone of 50 landscapes in the county,” said Food Security Program Manager Mamie Sackey Harris. She emphasized that these landscapes contribute positively to individuals’ and communities’ social, physical, and emotional health while enhancing food security.
Mecklenburg County Public Health collaborates with community partners to install these landscapes during early spring and late fall. They also provide technical assistance through educational efforts to ensure their long-term success. Once installed, it is up to the community partner to maintain them by planting, tending, harvesting, and distributing the produce.
“Growing food for yourself and others creates a sense of ownership and responsibility for the land, the food, and the community,” stated Health Policy Coordinator Reggie Singleton.
The installation of additional Edible Landscapes continues as this 50th milestone represents not only an increase in number but also signifies shared stewardship and collective action towards improving food security across Mecklenburg County.
Organizations interested in partnering on an Edible Landscape can fill out an interest form or contact Reggie Singleton at [email protected] or 980-314-9485.
