RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. — Access to healthy food options can be challenging for rural parts of North Carolina, but one Rutherford County woman is hoping to make a difference with a community garden. 

Lindy Abrams is originally from Rutherfordton, but moved away for college and a career in the arts industry. During the recession, she transitioned to learn agriculture and eventually returned home when the pandemic began. 

“There wasn’t a community garden and I felt like that was something that we needed,” said Abrams. “I just thoroughly believe that the ground we all walk on is a right, and not a privilege to eat from.”

With her beliefs, she worked with town officials to get a community garden started called Ruff’ton Roots.

Everything grown in the community garden will be given to people who are struggling to get food each day. Abrams also works to manage the garden as a volunteer.

“Feeding people who generally don’t have access to organic vegetables directly out of the ground because of price," said Abrams.

One in five children face hunger issues and nearly 1.5 million people in North Carolina face hunger altogether, according to Feeding America. The Ruff’ton Roots garden distributes all crops to local food pantries and soup kitchens in Rutherford County, making sure people with food insecurities can get access to fresh vegetables.