notes from From the Ground to the Plate

Nationally, 1 out of 12 Americans are accessing emergency food providers.
In Western North Carolina (16 counties), 1 out of 6 are.
The need is anywhere from 70 to 130 million lbs of food in this region.

Child hunger is twice as likely as adult hunger.

Food stamp outreach is the best way to let the poor person control what he/she puts in his/her body (versus, for example, having to eat whatever is served at a soup kitchen)--> for that to be healthy, we need nutrition education.

2/3 of the people eligible for food stamps do not get them.

Currently, food stamps only provide the equivalent of $1 per meal.

The most nutritious (fresh, organic) foods are out of reach (financially, physically) for the poor --> imagine if you could ONLY get nutritious foods... what a world!

Food banks get donations of food that are high in carbs and fats. MANNA Food Bank has a "plant-a-row" program where folks can donate a row of their garden to the food bank.

You'll only get the interest of the poor for planting gardens if you talk about economics. Tailgate markets (versus farmers markets) allow anyone to sell garden extras.

Bob White of Pisgah View Community Peace Garden has a vision that every public housing will have a community garden. From his experience, because the children play there, drug dealers leave the community garden alone.

Nutrition education must include how to cook up vegetables, etc.

Gardens create community. You talk with your neighbors while you garden.