Mecklenburg County Public Health Celebrates 50th Edible Landscape

Mecklenburg County Public Health works with community partners to install community gardens and orchards at various schools and churches. Pictured here are site installations from Spring 2025. These efforts are part of the Edible Landscapes program, which provides fresh fruits and vegetables to communities in need. There are 50+ Edible Landscapes across the county supporting efforts to alleviate food insecurities and increase food sovereignty.

An event culminating nine years of Mecklenburg County Public Health’s Edible Landscape Program and the 50th Edible Landscape built was held at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church – home of the first Edible Landscape built in the county. Habitat for Humanity's The Meadows at Plato Price is the site of the 50th Edible Landscape.

Edible Landscapes is an award-winning program that establishes community gardens and orchards to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to communities in need. These gardens and orchards are installed through partnerships between Mecklenburg County Public Health and community and faith-based organizations in food-insecure neighborhoods.

“We’re proud to see the Edible Landscape program continue to grow with this new milestone of 50 landscapes in the county,” said Food Security Program Manager Mamie Sackey Harris. “Edible Landscapes have been shown to improve individuals' and communities' social, physical, and emotional health while improving food security for surrounding neighborhoods.”  

Mecklenburg County Public Health works with community partners to install Edible Landscapes in early spring and late fall and provides technical assistance through education efforts to ensure long-term success of the landscape. After installation, the community partner is responsible to maintain the landscape by planting, tending, harvesting and distributing the landscape fruits and vegetables.  

“Growing food for yourself and others creates a sense of ownership and responsibility for the land, the food, and the community,” said Health Policy Coordinator Reggie Singleton.  

As additional Edible Landscapes continue to be installed, this 50th milestone marks not only the number of builds but the growing impact of shared stewardship and collective action in addressing food security across the county.  

Organizations interested in becoming an Edible Landscape partner can fill out an Edible Landscape Interest Form or contact Reggie Singleton at [email protected] or 980-314-9485.