Advocacy Archives - Carolina Farm Trust

16 Jun, 2025

Nutrition as a Human Right: Why Access to Healthy Food Matters

By Siobhan Norbeck|2025-06-16T17:55:11+00:00June 16, 2025|Advocacy, Farmers, Food Equity, Food Systems, Fruits, Health Impacts, Hunger, Mental Health, Vegetables|0 Comments

The Right to Eat Well

Food is more than just fuel—it’s medicine, a source of energy, and a key determinant of health. Yet for millions of people, access to fresh, nutrient-dense food remains out of reach. Nutrition insecurity disproportionately impacts low-income communities and people of color, contributing to chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.

At Carolina Farm Trust, we believe access to healthy food is a basic human right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. Through initiatives like our Food is Health Program, we’re working to close the food access gap by delivering fresh, local food directly to communities in need.

The Link Between Food Access and Health

The connection between diet and disease is well-documented. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 60% of adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease,

Beyond Hunger: The Hidden Impacts of Food Insecurity

By Siobhan Norbeck|2025-02-07T14:27:29+00:00February 7, 2025|Advocacy, economic burden, Food Equity, Food Systems, Health Impacts, Hunger, Mental Health, Sustainability|0 Comments

Food insecurity is a global crisis that reaches far beyond the empty stomachs it creates. It’s about the trauma of uncertainty—parents not knowing if they can provide dinner for their children, seniors rationing their meals to make ends meet, and individuals facing long-term physical and emotional harm. In 2023, the USDA reported that 47 million people in the U.S., including 14 million children, lived in food-insecure households. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that 864 million people face hunger.

The effects of food insecurity ripple through every aspect of life, influencing health, mental well-being, and financial stability. Let’s dig deeper into the profound impacts of this crisis and explore the steps needed to create a fairer, healthier food system.

Health Impacts: Chronic Conditions and Poor Nutrition

Food insecurity doesn’t just mean fewer meals; it often means eating the

Developing a New Food System: Bridging the Gap Between Farms and Communities

By Siobhan Norbeck|2025-01-07T14:10:12+00:00January 7, 2025|Advocacy, Food Equity, News|0 Comments

The way we grow, distribute, and access food in America is deeply flawed. While some enjoy an abundance of fresh, healthy options, many communities—especially urban and rural areas—struggle with limited access to nutritious food. This disparity isn’t just about food; it’s a symptom of a larger system that prioritizes profit over people, sustainability, and health. At Carolina Farm Trust (CFT), we believe it’s time for a change.

The Problem: A Broken Food System

In the United States, food deserts—areas where residents have limited access to affordable and nutritious food—are prevalent. According to the USDA, over 19 million Americans live in food deserts, and many of these areas are in urban centers like Charlotte. Compounding this issue, small and mid-sized farms, which play a vital role in providing fresh produce, face increasing challenges due to market competition, lack of resources, and climate pressures.

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