‘Take what you need’: Community garden aimed at combating food insecurity in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE — Help is growing and blooming at an east Charlotte garden.

Tucked away behind Garinger High School is a garden run by Eddie Watt, a member of a nonprofit called The Bulb, which started seven years ago to reduce food insecurity. The program relies heavily on volunteers to make the mission a reality.

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Right now, volunteers are organizing and planting different vegetables like tomatoes and broccoli.

“We wanted to give back as much as we could,” volunteer Erika Ruane told Channel 9.

The crops that are harvested are divided between 11 of The Bulb’s markets throughout the Queen City, which are located in areas where people might not have access to fresh, healthy food.

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“All of our food is take what you need, pay what you can,” The Bulb’s Leslie Leitner said. “You don’t have to register, you don’t have to sign up.”

The Bulb doesn’t just rely on volunteers to keep its mission going; they also rely on community donations to provide whatever else the family will need.

“It’s awesome; it looks amazing,” Ruane said. “I love the mission, and I didn’t know you could have a farm so close to the city.”

With help from volunteers, The Bulb is on course to pass last year’s record of more than 2,000 pounds of food grown last year and will be able to support more Queen City families.

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