GUILFORD COUNTY

FOOD SECURITY

Harvest Hope Newsletter

March 2025

Upcoming Events

Join us, with support from UNCG's Recipe for Success, for the launch of our Photovoice exhibit Framing the Future: A Photovoice Exploration of Food Justice, showcasing photos and accompanying narratives gathered from participants in Guilford County! This exhibit is the culminating event after months of gathering these submissions from community members.

The exhibit will launch on April 4th, 2025 from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM at The Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship (1451 S. Elm-Eugene St., Greensboro, NC 27406).

Everyone is invited to attend, so make sure to come celebrate with us and experience these impactful contributions from your neighbors for yourself! Refreshments will be provided.

The exhibit will stay up until May 30th, 2025. You will be able to view the exhibit during The Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship's operating hours Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Please click the button below or scan the QR code to register for this free event!

What is Photovoice?

Photovoice is a way of doing research where people can use photos to explore and share their community. Photovoice is effective because the use of photos eliminates barriers such as language, technology, and culture.

Program Highlights

Grocery Gap Analysis Project

The Food Security Team will be launching the Grocery Gap Analysis Project in the future! The overarching goal of this project is to identify the gaps found within identified zip codes to determine the kinds of stores that are available in these areas, whether SNAP is accepted, and how affordable the food is. The findings will address those gaps by providing solutions that are specifically tailored to each of the local communities.

This project is led by Melodie, the Food Security Program Assistant, and conducted in partnership with Community Liaisons – trusted community members recommended by our established community partners who live within these areas and will act as the eyes and ears of the community while surveying the stores.

Be on the lookout for further updates about this project!

Community Partner Spotlight

This month's spotlight goes to Out of the Garden Project!

Out of the Garden Project (OOTGP) was started in 2008 by Don and Kristy Milholin after noticing that several of their children's classmates were experiencing food insecurity. Over 15 years later, OOTGP is now the largest independent nonprofit organization of its kind in the Piedmont Triad NC area, serving over 47,000 children and families.

Thus far, OOTGP has established six programs, amassed 9,000 volunteers, and distributed over 19.5 million meals. Some programs include Operation Backpack, Fresh Mobile Markets, nutrition education that utilizes their Mobile Demonstration Kitchen, a Food Reclamation Initiative, and a Shared-Use Kitchen.

OOTGP's mission is to "end childhood hunger in the Piedmont area of North Carolina by providing nutritious food to children and families in need, fostering a supportive community, and ensuring every child has the resources to thrive."

Beth Crise, the newly appointed President and Executive Director of Out of the Garden Project, says, "The need for fresh, healthy food in our community is growing - but so is our response. Each week, the Fresh Mobile Market program provides fresh food and nonperishable food items to 700 families in neighborhoods that are facing barriers to food access. By working together, we can turn food equity from a challenge into a reality." Thank you, Beth!

There are a few ways to get involved with Out of the Garden Project!

1.) Donate money! With each donation, you will help nourish the children in our community.

2.) Volunteer your time! The work done by Out of the Garden Project would not be possible without the support of all their volunteers.

3.) Donate food! There are more than 50,000 children in need in our community, but together, we can make a difference in their lives.

Thank you Out of the Garden Project for your community efforts in helping children and their families to overcome food insecurity! For more information about Out of the Garden Project and the wonderful work they're doing, please click the button below!

OUT OF THE GARDEN PROJECT

Click the links below to learn more about the Food Security Program, our partners, and local happenings:

GUILFORD COUNTY CENTER EVENTS

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

N.C. Cooperative Extension - Guilford County Center, 3309 Burlington Rd, Greensboro, NC 27405, United States
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