Working Teams
connections. resources. partnerships.
Together, our Working Teams' collaborative efforts create a ripple effect, strengthening individual lives and the Greater High Point community.
The heart of the Greater High Point Food Alliance (GHPFA) lies in the dedication of our working teams. These teams bring together community partners, local agencies, and passionate individuals to tackle food insecurity from every angle. Each team focuses on a specific aspect of the issue, ensuring a comprehensive approach to creating a food-secure community.
Our working teams consist of collaborative partners that work within our network. They all work independently but meet bi-monthly to discuss their work within our High Point community, filling gaps, making connections, and providing additional resources. Each team has a representative on our board who shares updates on nutrition education, gardening support, and food access efforts to address food insecurity in Greater High Point.
Each working team is vital in building a healthier and more equitable future.
WORKING TEAMS:
FOOD EDUCATION
Knowledge is power—especially when it comes to food security. The Greater High Point Food Alliance (GHPFA) Food Education Working Team is committed to empowering individuals and families with the skills and knowledge they need to make healthy, informed food choices. By providing hands-on learning experiences, nutrition education, and cooking demonstrations, this team ensures that access to food is paired with the ability to prepare and enjoy it in a nutritious way.
OUR WORK
The Food Education Working Team partners with local organizations, schools, and community groups to deliver engaging food education programs that promote healthier lifestyles.
KEY INITIATIVES INCLUDE:
COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS
Hosting live cooking events at the High Point Farmers Market and local food pantries, teaching families how to prepare nutritious meals using fresh ingredients.
YOUTH NUTRITION PROGRAMS
Leading interactive classes for children, including Culinary Kids at the High Point Public Library and hands-on nutrition education at the High Point YWCA.
COMMUNITY NUTRITION CLASSES
Offering workshops in partnership with organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank, NC Cooperative Extension, and UNCG Recipe for Success, focusing on meal planning, healthy eating, and smart grocery shopping.
FOOD LITERACY RESOURCES
Distributing ChopChop magazines, recipe cards, and educational materials to families, food pantry clients, and community members.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Participating in health fairs, Trunk-or-Treat events, and public awareness campaigns to make nutrition education accessible.
URBAN AGRICULTURE
Growing food means growing community. The Urban Agriculture Working Team at the Greater High Point Food Alliance (GHPFA) is dedicated to expanding access to fresh, locally grown food by supporting community gardens, urban farms, and sustainable growing practices. By empowering residents with the tools and knowledge to grow their food, we are not just feeding people but fostering self-sufficiency, environmental sustainability, and stronger neighborhood connections.
The Urban Agriculture Working Team collaborates with local farmers, community organizations, and city officials to promote food production in urban spaces.
KEY INITIATIVES INCLUDE:
COMMUNITY GARDENS
Supporting the development and sustainability of over 60 community and school gardens across the Greater High Point area.
URBAN FARMING & LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION
Partnering with organizations like Growing High Point to turn vacant lots into thriving urban farms, providing fresh produce to local families.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Hosting workshops on gardening, composting, and sustainable farming practices, ensuring community members have the knowledge they need to maintain productive gardens.
SEEDS TO SHARE PROGRAM
Distributing thousands of seed packets annually to local gardens, nonprofits, and individuals to encourage home and community gardening.
INFRASTRUCTURE & RESOURCE SUPPORT
Helping urban farmers and community gardeners access necessary tools, irrigation systems, and storage facilities, including the GAP-Certified Micro Food Hub, which allows local farmers to wash, package, and store their produce safely.
OUR WORK
SENIOR TASK FORCE
The Senior Task Force at the Greater High Point Food Alliance (GHPFA) ensures that older adults in the Greater High Point area have reliable access to nutritious food. Seniors face unique challenges when it comes to food security, including mobility limitations, fixed incomes, and health concerns. This working team helps bridge the gap between seniors and essential food resources through strategic partnerships and advocacy.
OUR WORK
The Senior Task Force collaborates with local organizations, service providers, and volunteers to address food insecurity among older adults.
KEY INITIATIVES INCLUDE:
MEAL DELIVERY & FOOD ACCESS
Partnering with organizations like Mobile Meals of High Point and Senior Resources of Guilford to distribute thousands of meals to seniors annually.
CAPACITY BUILDING
Providing critical equipment, such as insulated bags and shelving, to improve the efficiency of senior meal programs.
SEASONAL SUPPORT
Coordinating efforts with United Way of Greater High Point to distribute summer fans and winter heaters to seniors in need.
ADVOCACY & POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
Engaging with the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging to advocate for policy improvements that enhance senior food security across North Carolina.
FOOD ACCESS
No one should have to wonder where their next meal will come from. The Food Access & Backpacks Working Team at the Greater High Point Food Alliance (GHPFA) ensures that individuals and families have reliable access to nutritious food—whether through emergency food pantries, meal distributions, or backpack programs for children. By working alongside food banks, schools, and community organizations, this team helps bridge the gap between food insecurity and stability.
OUR WORK
The Food Access & Backpacks Working Team focuses on expanding food availability through collaborative efforts with local agencies.
KEY INITIATIVES INCLUDE:
BACKPACK FOOD PROGRAMS
Partnering with United Way of Greater High Point and other local agencies to distribute food backpacks to needy students throughout the school year and summer months.
EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION
Coordinating large-scale food drops with partners like Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, ensuring families can access fresh and nonperishable food.
FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT
Working with local churches, nonprofits, and community centers to expand food pantry services, including improving infrastructure and increasing access to nutritious food options.
SMART MONEY FINANCIAL EDUCATION
Supporting financial literacy classes that help families stretch their resources and make healthier food choices.
SENIOR & SPECIAL POPULATIONS FOOD SUPPORT
Ensuring food pantries and meal programs accommodate the unique dietary needs of seniors and vulnerable populations.
ADVOCACY
Creating a food-secure future requires more than just providing meals—it demands systemic change. The Advocacy Working Team at the Greater High Point Food Alliance (GHPFA) works to address the root causes of food insecurity through policy change, community engagement, and legislative action. By amplifying the voices of those affected by hunger and working alongside local, state, and national leaders, this team strives to shape policies that ensure equitable access to nutritious food for all.
OUR WORK
The Advocacy Working Team influences policies and systems that impact food security.
KEY INITIATIVES INCLUDE:
LOCAL & STATE POLICY ENGAGEMENT
Advocating for policies that improve food access, such as funding food recovery programs and support for senior nutrition initiatives.
STOP FOOD WASTE DAY PROCLAMATION
Successfully worked with state leaders to have April 28 declared Stop Food Waste Day in North Carolina, raising awareness about food recovery and sustainability.
WALK TO THE STORE DAY
Hosted an experiential advocacy event where community leaders walked over a mile to purchase groceries, highlighting the barriers many residents face in accessing fresh food.
GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING
Provided expert recommendations to address food insecurity among seniors, leading to policy changes at the state level.
FARM BILL & SNAP ADVOCACY
Engaged with federal representatives to advocate for SNAP policy improvements, including support for grandparents raising grandchildren who do not qualify under current guidelines.