Our organization serves Cherokee and Clay Counties in far western North Carolina. According to data from the NC Association of County Commissioners’ 2024 County Map Book, Cherokee and Clay Counties are small, rural counties with a higher proportion of older adults than most other counties in NC. Cherokee and Clay Counties both rank worse than the state average for per capita income, food insecurity, and percentage of people who are uninsured. Cherokee County has a higher percentage of people living in poverty than the state average, and both Cherokee and Clay Counties have a higher percentage of children living in poverty than the state average.  

There is a well-documented correlation between poverty and food insecurity with adverse health outcomes and chronic diseases, with negative effects on the overall economy and public health system. By increasing availability of fresh local produce at our markets and improving community member access to nutrient-dense foods, we can reduce chronic diseases in our community over the long term.  We are also aware that simply increasing access may not be enough.  We believe that we can help foster enthusiasm for and build positive experiences around preparing fresh local foods, and help people taste the delicious difference!  By leveraging local recipes and practical knowledge shared at markets, as well as promoting skill acquisition from hands-on cooking classes and gardening classes, we believe that we can support meaningful and lasting changes in the health of our community through local food.   

While we serve everyone in our counties by working to increase access to locally grown food, we especially aim to support the source of that food: local growers in both Cherokee and Clay Counties. This year, our 3rd year as an organization, our operation has expanded and we have seen our efforts benefit our communities.

The Local Growers’ Farmstand is organized and run by our Executive Director, board members, and volunteers, all of whom are unpaid. Between visiting farms to purchase and pickup produce, loading and unloading our market booth and sale items, and driving to and from each market, our volunteers’ vehicles have experienced some wear and have put on many miles. Thus, we’re seeking funding for a refrigerated vehicle that can be used to help us transport produce to and from markets. 

A vehicle of any kind would relieve stress from our volunteers who staff the markets each week, but a refrigerated vehicle will have a transformative impact on our work. Currently, we face challenges in transporting temperature-sensitive produce like leafy greens, herbs, and berries. On more than one occasion this market season, we've had to turn down farmers’ beautiful lettuce and herbs because we knew the heat would cause them to wilt before they ever reached the market. The van will eliminate this problem, allowing us to transport a greater volume and variety of produce, leading to more sales for our local farmers and more nutrient-dense food for our neighbors.

This new vehicle will also:

• Improve Food Accessibility: A refrigerated van will be the key to launching our mobile market program, bringing fresh, healthy food directly to community members who may not be able to get to any of the local farmers markets.

• Reduce Waste: We will be able to transport any unsold produce directly from the market to our local food banks, ensuring that no food spoils and that it gets into the hands of those who need it most.

• Support Volunteers: The van will reduce the wear and tear on our dedicated volunteers’ personal vehicles, which are currently used for food transportation.

Your support can help us turn this vision into a reality. A contribution to our fundraiser will help us reach our goal and build a more resilient and sustainable local food system for everyone in our community.