Title
Resolution Authorizing Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Greensboro, the City of High Point, and Guilford County for the Joint Funding of an Assistant Agent Position to Support Community and School Garden Opportunities and Food Access Efforts Countywide
Body
Department: Parks and Recreation
Council District: All
Public Hearing:
Advertising Date/By:
Contact 1 and Phone: Nasha McCray, 336-433-7360
Contact 2 and Phone: Phil Fleischmann, 336-373-3275
PURPOSE: To enter into an interlocal agreement between the City of Greensboro, the City of High Point, and Guilford County to collectively fund an Assistant Agent position housed within the North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Guilford County. This position would support the growth of school and community garden opportunities countywide and assist in facilitating food access efforts between the parties. If approved, the agreement would take effect on January 1, 2018 and continue from year to year given available budgetary resources until terminated.
BACKGROUND:
Food insecurity, or the lack of physical or economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life, is a pervasive issue in Guilford County. In 2014, the Greensboro/High Point area ranked first in the nation on a Gallup Healthways Wellbeing Index as having the most food insecure individuals per capita. Additionally, over 65% of Guilford County Schools students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Over 25% of the population in the county resides in a federally designated food desert area. Given these statistics, local food efforts and gardening and nutrition education have increased in recent years, and additional support is needed to manage these initiatives.
There are currently over 90 community gardens and 75 school gardens in Guilford County, and the majority of those are located in Greensboro including seven on City park properties. Currently, there is not an...
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