From The Assembly: A Homegrown Grocery Giant Stumbles After Helene

This article is published in partnership with The Food Section.

On the Thursday after Helene struck western North Carolina, stocks were running low at the Ingles Markets in South Asheville’s Skyland Plaza. As burly employees at the front of the store limited occupancy to 25 shoppers at a time, an enthusiastic greeter just beyond rattled off a well-rehearsed spiel.

“Twenty-five items. Cash only. Up to three chickens. Ground chuck, milk, eggs, paper towels, toilet paper, and water: One per household,” she explained. Inside, usually common items like orange juice, yogurt, and cream cheese were sparse or absent altogether; most of the store’s freezer cases were barren and roped off.

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About Daniel Walton
Daniel Walton is the former news editor of Mountain Xpress. His work has also appeared in Sierra, The Guardian, and Civil Eats, among other national and regional publications. Follow me @DanielWWalton

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