Healthy Living Programs
What Drives Our Work
Increasing Food Access & Fostering Food Sovereignty
The Park CDC’s healthy living programs advance equity and address health disparities faced by individuals in underserved communities by providing nutrition and wellness education, preventive care services, resources, and tools tailored to the needs of each participant. We recognize that access to healthy lifestyle choices should not be limited to certain populations, but should be available to all, regardless of socio-economic status or background.
By offering educational workshops focused on diet, physical activity, and mental wellbeing, our goal is to empower residents of all backgrounds to lead healthier lives. Additionally, through our urban farm Sunset Farm, we provide horticulture education to school age youth, adults, and seniors along with distributing fresh, locally-grown, pesticide-free produce to residents and community partners.
Our Programs
Gardening Education
Sunset Farm is our 3.5 acre urban garden located at 3432 Sunset Road Charlotte, NC 28216.
This space offers a reliable source of fresh produce and functions as a hub for intergenerational gardening and a living classroom which.
Community members are welcomed to learn about urban agriculture and environmental stewardship, enjoy the benefits of working in the sun and soil, and connect with neighbors.
I felt free and connected working in the garden.“
- Sunset Farm Open House Attendee
Seasonal Open Houses
Designed to raise awareness about the organization's work in the food access and food independence space. These family-friendly events include the Garden-to-Go container gardening workshops, plant-based culinary demonstrations, kids gardening activities, introductions to the organization's nutrition education program, the distribution of health literacy materials, and volunteer gardening demonstrations.
“Great event. Loved the healthy cooking component & thank you for continuing to teach me about gardening. I'm determined to get it! THANK YOU!!”
- Sunset Farm Open House Attendee
Nutrition Education
The Cooking Matters Program provides educational, interactive workshops designed to teach participants to improve their health outcomes by practicing positive dietary habits, cooking nutritious meals, and optimizing their grocery shopping budget while choosing healthy food selections.
“I learned a lot about nutrition. This class was awesome! I think everyone needs something like this.”
- Cooking Matters Program Participant
Holistic Wellness Workshops
Informative sessions designed to educate community members about the importance of both mental and physical wellbeing. Participants receive resources and strategies to develop healthier practices which will produce sustained positive health outcomes.
These sessions are hosted in collaboration with community partners such as the McCrorey YMCA where members can attend the cost-free, interactive workshops.
