WHY WE DO
Despite being a state with 52,000 farms and being recognized as the most diversified agriculture state in the country, somehow this food is not reaching our people, so we're working within our community in Forsyth County to unify and close the gaps that exist by finding creative ways to feed more people better food.
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We understand, and are still learning and navigating the complex nature of hunger, food-insecurity, poverty and systemic failures that continue to affect people in our community. By acknowledging differences and working together to address the many variables we are hopeful that food insecurity numbers in our county decrease, people in our community begin earning respectable wages, opportunities become approachable, and stories and humanity are respected.
food in·se·cu·ri·ty
noun
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the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
-
an economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.
FOOD INSECURITY: 17%
CHILDREN IN FOOD INSECURE HOUSEHOLDS: 22.7%
OBESITY RATE: 17% DIABETES RATE: 17%
THAT'S 59,900 HUMANS THAT DO NOT KNOW
WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM!
HUNGER & POVERTY
People in low-income households are at risk not only for food insecurity, but also unhealthy weight gain. Processed, fattening foods with low nutritional value are the most inexpensive, and residents of impoverished areas often lack transportation or proximity to stores with affordable healthy food. Food deprivation can lead to overeating when food becomes available, and unfortunately, low-income youth and adults are exposed to disproportionately more marketing and advertising for obesity-promoting products.
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Agricultural problems also relate to local-food access. Ongoing trends include decline in farm incomes and in the number of people choosing to farm, which decreases the amount of local food being grown and raises its price. Even though North Carolina is still an agricultural hub with thousands of farms, people living in food deserts don’t have access to the healthy food grown locally, which provides much better nutrition than highly processed foods with empty calories.
WHAT WE DO
At Middle of the Root we are actively working on developing creative ways to bring fresh, seasonal food from our local farmers and artisans in North Carolina into the hearts, homes and businesses in our community located in Forsyth County. Incorporated in 2015 as a 501c3 we set out to find creative ways to bring more people better food while engaging, empowering, educating, exposing and building equity.
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From our beginnings as a meal kit delivery service we tapped into a niche market that didn't even know it existed yet. We delivered fresh, local ingredients paired with recipes every week in hopes of growing and being able to offer the same service to everyone regardless of income.
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As we became more involved in the local food scene though we realized there were more immediate needs where we could make a more holistic impact through cooking. That began our wonderful partnership with Next Step Ministries, developing and facilitating a Cooking & Wellness Program for women and children in transitional housing situations.
We're continuously excited about collaborating with organizations (private & public), people, projects and programs that have a need for good food and/or those who want to make their programs, people or communities enriched through food and cooking. We invite you to share in our journey as we connect communities through food.
HOW WE DO
We are a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Incorporation with a stellar board and we are dedicated to advancing the our communities to a positive future. Middle of the Root offers quality and effective a Wellness Programs and Community Resources with various organizations and businesses we work with to push the envelope further with change and hope for a better tomorrow. Our experienced team carry out the programming, workshops, fundraisers and resources. Community efforts are developed and through local community partnerships we will continue to offer service and wellness programs throughout the year and years to come. Get involved with our fundraising efforts and events throughout the year to help us maintain funds for operations, services and community programs.
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