As you all know, the western counties in our state have been completely devastated by Helene. The Produce Box is raising money to help our neighbors in Western NC through our Feeding Families program. Read on to learn more about the evolution of our donation program and how you can directly support folks on the ground.

Through donations from members and non-members alike, The Produce Box raised over $20,000 to pack and transport fresh produce items up to the mountains for free distribution by local organizations and churches in rural NC counties in just two weeks! WOW! Upon seeing vegetables not out of a can, the volunteers at local churches were elated to squeeze these boxes into their well-stocked supply rooms for immediate distribution. “Us country folk like to cook, and it’s been a while since we’ve seen fresh vegetables.”

However, as the dust has settled in the weeks after the storm, we have also been strategizing about the most effective way to use remaining donations for the long-term recovery of local food systems in Western North Carolina. And one thing has become abundantly clear:

Farmers in Western North Carolina need to be at the center of their local food system recovery.

While donations in the first 2-3 weeks post-Helene met the acute need for quick supplies, the long-term impacts of this storm are becoming evident. WNC farmers have lost their typical sales outlets in what is typically the busiest time of the year (tourist season!), and the viability of the local food system in Appalachia is at risk.

“We are concerned about the uncertainty of the future outlets for our vegetables. We make 1/3 of our gross income in October, November, and December. Most of those sales are through restaurants and tailgate markets. Our two tailgate markets are just starting back up this week in temporary locations with no guaranteed future. Our restaurant accounts are closed with no water, and when they open back up they will be on tight budgets, which will negatively impact our selling vegetables to them.” – Aaron Grier, Gaining Ground Farm

So here’s how we are partnering with two incredible organizations in WNC to distribute the remaining funds we’ve raised through our Feeding Families boxes to ensure that WNC farmers get paid for their food AND affected families get free hot meals and fresh produce:

Meet the Equal Plates Project

Equal Plates Project is a non-profit based out of Asheville that purchases local food from WNC farmers to cook into hot meals for free distribution. Since the storm, they have been cooking and distributing a staggering 1,000 free meals a day utilizing local ingredients. They have a mission of continuing to do so for the next 100 days and beyond!

We are transferring half of our funds directly to Equal Plates with an earmark specifically for purchasing local produce from WNC farmers for their hot meal efforts. Of course, we first and foremost encourage you to donate directly to Equal Plates HERE!

Meet Mother Earth Foods

Mother Earth Foods is a sister food hub just like The Produce Box located in Asheville. In response to the storm, they took swift action, pivoting their entire home delivery operation within 24 hours of landfall. Now, they are purchasing produce from their local farmers to pack into Helene Relief Produce Boxes for free distribution, containing 10 local, nutrient-dense items, fresh from small family farms in Western North Carolina.

With their boots on the ground, we think they will be much better suited to make our money go further through funneling it to WNC farmers and coordinating with distribution sites and non-profits in their area.

“Now, more than ever, we are reminded of how critically important our local food system is. This is truly locals feeding locals.” –Andrea, founder, Mother Earth Foods

We are transferring the other half of our funds directly to Mother Earth Foods with an earmark specifically for purchasing local produce from WNC farmers to pack into their free Helene Relief boxes.

While we are still collecting donations via our webstore as a convenient way for members to support whilst shopping for their groceries, we are now encouraging folks to donate directly to Equal Plates and Mother Earth Food!

Donate to Equal Plates HERE

Donate to Mother Earth Food HERE

The future of Western North Carolina’s food system affects us all as North Carolinians. We trust that these organizations and so many others are rebuilding the template from scratch amidst this opportune moment to center LOCAL food now more than ever.

In gratitude,

Bailey

Your Produce Box Engagement Director