By Lydian Bernhardt
Food security, or having enough to eat, is a statewide problem that only increased in the wake of COVID 19, according to national hunger-relief organization Feeding America. In Guilford County alone, the food insecurity rate is nearly 14 percent.
Luckily, many are hungry to help.
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T and the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) have partnered to host documentary screening and panel discussion centering around food security: who has it, who needs it, and what policy-makers, educators, community organizations and students can do to help.
The event will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion, 3020 McConnell Road in Greensboro. Refreshments will be served at 5 p.m., followed by a screening of the award-winning documentary “Resilience: Food for All” at 6 p.m. A panel discussion will follow, featuring local elected leaders, experts, and stakeholders to explore the importance of food system resilience strategies for our communities and access to healthy food. Visit the website theresiliencefilm.com for more information and register here for the showing.
“This film sheds light on a lesser-known obstacle facing many North Carolina residents,” said filmmaker Chris Baucom. “Our counties, with partners like N.C. A&T and N.C. Cooperative Extension, are working hard to increase food security for our residents. This event is the perfect opportunity to unite the local community around this issue and discuss how it affects Guilford County and our state.”
The two-time award-winning documentary spotlights food insecurity in North Carolina and its effects on residents across the state: from urban tech hubs to remote areas and from the mountains to the coast. It explores the challenges of food access exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and how people are working to strengthen food system resilience in local communities.
The filming began under the watch of former NCACC President Ronnie Smith.
“In 2020, during my term as president, it was clear to me that North Carolina’s food insecurity and food system needed to be addressed,” said Smith. “This led to the production of this film – the association’s first – to raise awareness about the challenges of food access and how everyday heroes are working to strengthen food system resilience in communities across North Carolina.”
The College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences is ready to help with the daunting task of alleviating hunger, said Dean Mohamed Ahmedna.
“We take our role as an educational institution very seriously, and that includes education about how to grow and share healthy food,” Ahmedna said. “The fact that East Greensboro, where N.C. A&T is located, is in a food desert only strengthens our resolve to provide the research and advice people need to help solve this problem.”
What: Food Security Event featuring a screening of “Resilience: Food for All” followed by a panel discussion with local elected leaders, experts, and stakeholders
When: 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Where: N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion, 3020 McConnell Road, Greensboro, NC 27405
Who: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T and the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners
