There’s new leadership of a High Point nonprofit that’s working to reduce food insecurity in the city.
Jodi Sarver became executive director of Growing High Point on Nov. 1, taking the reins from Willa Mays, who retired. Sarver says the group’s work started as a response to a dire time of food insecurity in the region.
Things have improved, she says, but the need is still great. One of the things she’d like to see is more people involved in Growing High Point’s farmers-in-training program.
"There’s a huge deficit right now in the number of farmers," she says. "So being able to put people through a farming program where they’re learning agriculture is a definite need within North Carolina.”
The organization’s work includes converting vacant lots into urban gardens and operating the Growdega, a mobile grocery serving people in food deserts.
Sarver credits High Point’s spirit of collaboration for being able to decrease the city’s food insecurity.