Mecklenburg County Public Health has hit a new milestone with the installation of its 50th Edible Landscape, as reported by the county's news dispatch. This program, running for nine years, forms part of the county's initiative to combat food insecurity by creating community gardens and orchards which provide fresh produce to neighborhoods in need. The celebratory event marking this milestone took place at the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, the very location of the first Edible Landscape in the county.
The Edible Landscape program has borne fruit through a collaborative effort involving faith-based organizations, community groups, and the county's public health department. These partnerships, helmed by Mecklenburg County Public Health, have grown to encompass 50 such landscapes throughout the area. Each site, such as the Meadows at Plato Price – the latest addition developed in partnership with Habitat for Humanity – stands as a testament to what can be achieved when communities come together to support one another, reported by Mecklenburg County’s updates.
"Edible Landscapes have been shown to improve individuals' and communities' social, physical, and emotional health while improving food security for surrounding neighborhoods," Food Security Program Manager Mamie Sackey Harris told Mecklenburg County News. This statement underlines the multipurpose benefits of such initiatives, which extend beyond simply providing access to nutritious food.
As part of the structure for ongoing support, Mecklenburg County Public Health contributes to educating the communities in maintaining their landscapes. They install Edible Landscapes in early spring and late fall and the responsible partner community, for maintaining the landscape, is responsible for its upkeep, which includes planting, tending, harvesting, and distribution of the produce. "Growing food for yourself and others creates a sense of ownership and responsibility for the land, the food, and the community," Health Policy Coordinator Reggie Singleton explained in a statement obtained by the county's news service.
Looking forward, with the 50th Edible Landscape now complete, Mecklenburg County Public Health is continuing to foster shared stewardship and collective action, further deepening its resolve to address and ameliorate food security issues.
