Sarah Riegel

Witherspoon 318
9201 University City Blvd.
Charlotte, NC
November 11, 2014
Charlotte Guthrie
Wallace H. Kuralt Centre
301 Billingsley Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28211
Dear Miss Guthrie:
My name is Sarah Riegel. I am a student at UNC Charlotte. I have been involved in an extended,
research-based inquiry project this semester. My focus of inquiry has been if and how
community gardens can provide supplemental nutrition to residents of low income food deserts,
and how these gardens influence community identity.
My research suggests that while many community gardens are providing supplemental nutrition,
either directly or by donation, and providing opportunities to build up the community,
improvements could be made to our current system. Many people in low income, low access
areas are hindered from joining a community garden because of high demand, a lack of time, or a
lack of knowledge and skill.
So how can Mecklenburg Countys community gardens better serve its population most at risk of
hunger? I believe I have found a viable solution. There have been suggestions made for
volunteer-based community gardens in New York City to be equipped with EBT readers so that
people in food deserts can buy the produce grown in the gardens. I would like to propose
something similar for Charlotte.
If the Division of Social Services in Mecklenburg County could obtain funding, it could equip all
of the community gardens in inner city, low income neighborhoods located in food deserts with
the technology to accept EBT. This would work well for all those gardens that donate part or all
of their produce to food pantries and shelters. People from the community could visit the gardens
during regular hours of operation to buy fresh produce with their FNS or SNAP benefits.
This would help all those people located in food deserts who are put on the waiting list because
demand at their garden is too high, and all of the people physically unable or lacking the time
necessary to work in the gardens themselves. People could also gain the knowledge necessary to
actually cook unfamiliar produce. This solution would increase these interactions between people
from differing backgrounds, thereby creating ties to build up the community.
I truly believe that this is a viable method to improve access to healthy foods for those living in
low income food deserts. As such, I implore you to consider advocating for funding for this

endeavor. If you would be willing, I would like to schedule an interview with you to discuss this
idea further. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,

Sarah Riegel
sriegel@uncc.edu