Charlotte, N.C. — According to the Mecklenburg County Public Health Department, nearly 15% of households in Mecklenburg County are considered food insecure.


 

What You Need to Know 

About 15% of homes in Mecklenberg County have food insecurities, according to the county public health department

Mecklenburg County Public Health has created programs to address food insecurity

Food insecurity programs include a refrigerator pilot program, an online food resource map and SNAP/EBT payments at farmers markets 


Food insecure homes have a reduced quality and variety of diet, may eat less and eating patterns are disrupted due to lack of money and resources.

Mecklenburg County Public Health has created programs to address these issues, including a refrigerator pilot program with the American Heart Association. Stores in food deserts are given large refrigerators to stock fresh fruits and vegetables. Mecklenburg County Public Health also handed out discount coupons for the produce in the neighborhoods surrounding these stores.

Karina Gonzalez is a Mecklenburg County Public Health policy coordinator who helped set up the program in underserved neighborhoods.

“They rely on fast food restaurants or corner stores that carry a lot of processed foods,” Gonzalez said. “So, it's very important to start having healthier options in those corner stores so that people have the options.”

Mecklenburg County Food Security Initiatives also include: