– Achieving Food Insecurity Objectives –

The “State of the Plate Report” (2015) by The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Food Policy Council documented 35% of Charlotte area households with children as being food-insecure, compared to the national average of 19%. Because of our central location, we have numerous food insecure areas nearby and addressing that statistic is a key part of our mission statement.

Location: Based on our central location, access to healthy food is more achievable as we are located only 2 blocks from the City’s main uptown bus and light rail terminal. We encourage cycling and walking to the market, but also provide free parking. The City of Charlotte partners with the Market by providing their parking deck for any overflow parking needs.

The Community Table Fund: We set this fund up with the Market’s opening to accept donations from individuals and businesses that allow us to purchase produce from the farmers at the end of a market and distribute it to families in need. We partner with other non-profits in the City to help identify these families. We have worked with 1st Ward Neighbors Association, Inlivien, Charlotte Center City Partners, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Authority, Rebound, Dove’s Nest, and Cokesbury United Methodist Church.  Since 2020, we have also partnered weekly with Harvest Haul volunteers to deliver bins of purchased produce to Roof Above and Nourish Up (formerly Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays).  In 2023, we donated 3.25 tons of farm fresh produce to these two organizations. Click here to donate.

SNAP:
Uptown Farmers Market is a SNAP approved market with the USDA and we are excited to participate in the Double Bucks matching program funded by Mecklenburg County and administered by the Charlotte- Mecklenburg Food Policy Council. This program provides up to a $50 match in Double Bucks per week. This allows EBT users to stretch their grocery dollars to buy the freshest and most nutritious food. Please click here for SNAP usage details.

Shuttles:
We were able to pilot a program with DreamKey Partners in 2021 to run shuttles to three nearby housing communities to help address transportation needs, especially for seniors. We were excited to receive grant funding from the American Heart Association in 2022 to expand these efforts with added senior communities and bi-weekly shuttle service. We partner with Charlotte Area Transit System for the specially handicapped shuttles to make sure we can accommodate seniors with any mobility issues who need assistance. We currently run shuttles to four senior apartment communities.