The Cumberland County Public Library (CCPL) is excited to announce a transformative $40,500 grant awarded for its innovative "Culinary Literacy and Wellness at the Library" initiative. This generous funding enables the acquisition of two state-of-the-art Charlie Cart mobile kitchens, revolutionizing the library's culinary programming and outreach efforts.

The Charlie Cart mobile kitchens are game changers in the world of food education. Each unit is a compact culinary powerhouse, featuring a convection oven, induction cooktop, sink and ample storage for over a hundred utensils and kitchen accessories. With these new resources, CCPL will be able to offer a rich tapestry of free programs for all ages. These include classes on healthy food preparation, skill-building, food hygiene and safety, budget-friendly cooking, meal planning for dietary restrictions and explorations of diverse and ethnic cuisines.

The Culinary Literacy and Wellness initiative at the Library is designed to tackle food literacy and security challenges in Cumberland County. It will especially focus on underserved communities and areas identified as “food deserts,” where access to fresh groceries is limited. Additionally, the program will offer tweens and teens essential cooking skills for a healthier future.

This grant follows a recent survey conducted by CCPL, which revealed a strong community interest in cooking programs—ranking them as the second most requested type of program. Currently, CCPL offers various gardening and cooking initiatives, including a seed exchange library at Headquarters Library. The new Charlie Cart mobile kitchens will expand these offerings, enabling hands-on, outcomes-based cooking classes across two of the library’s eight locations simultaneously.

“We are thrilled to introduce these mobile kitchens into our library system,” said Deputy Director of the Cumberland County Public Library Heather Hall. “This grant is a significant boost for our culinary programming, allowing us to reach even more community members with essential food education and resources.”

The CCPL is set to have the Charlie Cart mobile kitchens operational and integrated into programming by the start of the new year. The library extends heartfelt thanks to its project partner, the NC Cooperative Extension Cumberland County Center, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services for their support. This grant was made possible by the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-256834-OLS-24).