In response to COVID-19, Rivendell Carolinas has been asked by local leaders to create 2 maps for the general public to find food system information during this time of crisis. We have leveraged the relationships built through the Charlotte Regional Food System Mapping Project (the Map Project) to create a COVID-19 Food Access Resources Map and a COVID-19 Farm & Farmers Market Map.

The geographic focus of these maps mirrors the Map Project, featuring 16-county Charlotte region. This includes 12 counties in NC and 4 counties in SC. These counties include, Mecklenburg, Gaston, Union, Cabarrus, Lincoln, Cleveland, Catawba, Iredell, Rowan, Stanly, Anson, Chesterfield, Lancaster, Chester and York.

Rivendell Carolinas has created these two response maps with several key characteristics and functions :

1. Instant. The process for updating and adding information to these resources is instant. Using a survey tool, as soon as the information has been submitted, the data is live on the map. The survey tool is used for both adding information and updating information on the map.
2. Usability. This is foundational to the success of these public facing tools. Being able to present information on a mapping platform that is easy to navigate and find information from is critical, even more now!
3. En español. We are working in partnership with Wingate University’s Collaborative for the Common Good, to create a Spanish translation for these response maps.
4. Model. The creation of these maps is replicable in other regions, counties, states, etc. Rivendell Carolinas has designed these tools to be a model and resource for other communities. Rivendell Carolinas is available to assist with creating additional maps, upon request.

Mecklenburg County Public Health has featured these maps in their recent blog post titled Keeping it Healthy: Finding Fresh Food for your Family. To view the blog post and read about additional services and resources in Char-Meck, click here.

To help us keep information current or add new information, click the buttons below to take the survey for each map.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates or sign up for our Newsletter.If you have any questions regarding this effort, please email Erin at ehostetler@energyenviro.org.

To support our work, consider making a donation to Rivendell Carolinas.