An Agricultural Gazebo for an Impactful Non-profit

The Carolina Farm Trust works to strengthen local Carolina (USA) food systems from production to consumption.

Despite the United States being one of the richest countries in the world, food insecurity is still a huge problem across the nation. North Carolina, where Mastertent has its U.S. headquarters in Charlotte, is no exception. In this state alone, 590,000 households do not have enough food to sustain themselves. In Mecklenburg County, which includes the city of Charlotte, the largest city in the state, 22% of children suffer from food insecurity.

For the Carolina Farm Trust, these numbers are more than mere statistics: they are its reason for existing. The organization works to strengthen local food systems in North Carolina, from production to consumption. It seeks to increase the availability of healthy food, create economic opportunities in agriculture, strengthen food security, reduce food-related environmental damage, and bolster the local community.

Of course, when addressing a problem as complex as local food insecurity, there is no magic pill. Progress requires a lot of effort on many fronts, which is exactly what the Carolina Farm Trust is all about. From its urban farm and community events to partnerships with farmers and other non-profit organizations, Carolina Farm Trust tackles the problem from all angles.

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A partner with the same vision

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Mastertent, just as it is for the Carolina Farm Trust. Through solar-powered production, our reforestation program, creative recycling of manufacturing waste materials, and sustainable textile innovation, we continually push ourselves to become more eco-friendly.

Central to our sustainability efforts is our commitment to manufacturing quality products. When customers choose to purchase durable gazebos with replaceable parts over cheaper alternatives, they are choosing to reduce the amount of waste they produce. Our commitment to encouraging quality in place of overconsumption is one of the reasons Wyatt said his organization was excited to partner with us.

Come rain or shine

In the past, the Carolina Farm Trust team used other gazebos that tore easily and faded quickly. Today, our 100% waterproof gazebos provide them with durable and reliable shelter from bad weather and protect the team from UV. One member called the Mastertent gazebo a “lifesaver.”

Whether it’s a market day or a fundraiser, a farm or a city street, our folding gazebo easily adapts to wherever the organization is operating. Mastertent's versatility allows the Carolina Farm Trust to undertake a range of different initiatives using the same equipment.

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Ready for market in minutes

Increasing access to healthy, fresh food is a key tenet of the Carolina Farm Trust’s mission. The organization does this in part through its network of urban farms. By promoting the creation of agricultural collectives in urban spaces, the Carolina Farm Trust improves access to local produce.

For example, the Urban Farm at Aldersgate serves residents of Aldersgate Retirement Village and those in surrounding neighborhoods on Charlotte’s Eastside. The Carolina Farm Trust sets up its Mastertent for a farmers market several times a week. The stand sells seasonal produce and farm products, such as meat and eggs from nearby farms.

“Any staff member can set it up with no assistance.”

Whether it's a cooking demonstration or a traveling market, the Carolina Farm Trust is ready for anything. Their Mastertent can be set up almost anywhere with ease, without the need for additional staff or special tools.

“Any staff member can set it up just like that,” said a Carolina Farm Trust team member about the gazebo.

This flexibility is critical for an organization trying to combat a food access problem. Having the freedom to go wherever there is a need makes all the difference. It allows the organization to connect people with real food.

Tasteful branding to spread awareness

Another way the Carolina Farm Trust strengthens local food circuits is by hosting and participating in community events. It organizes community dinners that bring neighbors, farmers, and chefs together around a table to draw attention to its important work.

The Dinner on West Broad St. event, for example, brought together 130 people for a sunset meal on long tables that stretched along a major street in downtown Statesville, N.C. The event highlighted local produce and chefs in an effort to stimulate conversation about regenerative agriculture.

At events like these, Wyatt focuses on the experience, rather than the Carolina Farm Trust. A gazebo with good branding encourages this approach. The custom-printed gazebo prominently features the organization’s logo, which contributes to brand recognition and fundraising efforts. In addition, the stylish and professional gazebo allows the focus to be on the important issues that Carolina Farm Trust addresses.

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Flexible accessories offer the freedom to create partnerships

For the Carolina Farm Trust, this means being free to say “yes” to community collaborations with like-minded organizations. One such example included a partnership with the Charlotte-based non-profit Protectors of the Endangered, a children’s literacy organization, to host a summer camp.

The camp featured a food hunt and engaged children in lessons about the role of bees in local food systems. The children also learned about healthy foods by making their own fruit pizzas.

Mastertent’s equipment made it easy for organizations to co-brand the entire event. The teardrop flags printed with Protectors of the Endangered Characters images provided a beautiful and fun backdrop for the camp, while a gazebo with the Carolina Farm Trust logo provided children with shade and shelter from the summer heat.

A welcoming space to facilitate connection

Once a year, the Carolina Farm Trust puts its best foot forward for its biggest fundraising event: the Carolina Jubilee. This outdoor music festival features two days of local singers and bands. Reflecting the Carolina Farm Trust’s commitment to equality, the lineup intentionally showcases musicians from the LGBTQ+ community as well as Black artists from the blues and other musical genres.

The festivities open with the Urban Soul on the Farm dinner. Like the music festival, this event supports the Carolina Farm Trust's mission to invest in shared community food systems that benefit urban and rural communities. A joyful and delicious meal from farm to table, Urban Soul on the Farm features dishes representing the diverse ethnicities of our chefs. Large tables and folding gazebos bring together people from diverse backgrounds.

Throughout the weekend, numerous Mastertents gazebos provide venues for both logistics, such as check-in and first-aid stations, and comfort. The large event tents offer both shelter from the sun and rain and a relaxing place to spend time and listen to music together. It’s an occasion when the Carolina Farm Trust’s goal of an “empowered community” seems less like a dream and more like a reality beginning to take shape.

The Carolina Jubilee and all Carolina Farm Trust initiatives are proof that we can accomplish even more good things when we connect and collaborate. We at Mastertent are proud to support the work of the Carolina Farm Trust as a sponsor. Together, we are working toward a healthier planet and a brighter future.

To learn more about the Carolina Farm Trust, visit their website. If you also run a non-profit organization or would like to find out how durable and versatile gazebos can best support your activities, get in touch. Our experts can help you explore the options best suited to your needs.

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