Bringing Food to the People
Volume
21
/ Issue 23
Cover Design Credit:
Anna WhitleyCover Photography Credit:
Cindy Kunst
A blend of economics, failed federal programs and changing politics has left many Asheville residents stranded in food deserts — communities lacking resources for affordable, healthy food. Xpress looks at the history and modern reality of food deserts, and talks to locals working to alleviate the problem.
arts
2014’s greatest hits: The year’s most-viewed stories at Mountainx.com
While not quite as attention-getting as the impending end of the world would’ve been, the “tube-ocalypse” sucked in a drove of zombie-hungry readers this year: The most-viewed story on Mountainx.com…Smart bets: Freeway Revival
Recently topping the ReverbNation Americana charts for Asheville, Americana/country-blues collective The Freeway Revival writes songs about the Appalachian mountains but spends a lot of time touring outside Western North Carolina.…Smart bets: Laney Jones & the Lively Spirits
Laney Jones could pull her weight simply performing as the banjoist for Laney Jones & the Lively Spirits, but thankfully she shares her vocal talents with the world as well.…The best of 2014 in local theater
There’s an old saying that goes, “Theater has been failing for thousands of years.” The mid-2000s saw some lean times for the arts, and many theater organizations have struggled to…Smart bets: Fred Eaglesmith
Most touring artists gather stories and experiences to fuel their writing while on tour, but Fred Eaglesmith also collects used deep fryer oil to power his converted 1990 tour bus.…Jon Stickley Trio hones its sound and finds its audience
“I was looking for some things to jam along with one day,” says local guitarist Jon Stickley. Known for his flatpicking prowess, he usually practiced to a bluegrass playlist. “But…Smart bets: Brian Mashburn art exhibit
Portentous and meticulously crafted urban landscapes typify painter Brian Mashburn‘s body of work, which often juxtaposes a calm observer — perhaps iconic of nature or purity — among background rubble.…The year in art
The year 2014 was one of introspection — in the arts, that is. You could argue that self-analysis is a core concept underlining many, if not most, artworks. And you would…food
Beer Scout: New Belgium’s year-end update
Giant brewhouse tanks rolling through the streets of Western North Carolina are nothing new. Oskar Blues shipped in plenty of large ones to its space in Brevard, and Sierra Nevada…Small Bites: Peaberry Press brings coffee, smoothies to River Ridge
A new coffee shop is open in East Asheville; Dough closes for remodeling; Hopey & Co. announces downtown expansion plans; Asheville Mardi Gras plans a Cajun Cook-off andliving
Conscious Party: All the pretty faces
WHAT: Pretty Faces: The Story of a Skier Girl benefit screening WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 8, 6 p.m. WHERE: The Millroom, 66 Asheland Ave., Asheville WHY: Pretty Faces, a film celebrating…Mission Health takes aim at bias and disparity in health care
How does a culture combat an entity that cannot be seen? Start with awareness of the issue. “As humans, we all have bias,” says Dr. Rebecca Bernstein of Mission Health. “It doesn’t…news
Job statistics don’t tell the whole story for local economy
On Nov. 21, Gov. Pat McCrory’s office released a statement saying that all of the jobs North Carolina lost during the Great Recession — some 62,000 positions — had been gained…Hidden in plain sight: Asheville’s food deserts
How does Asheville, one of the busiest tourist hubs in the state — a place where you can’t throw a rock without hitting a chef or a farmer — have…opinion
Compromised
Veteran disappointed in local job prospects
As a returning veteran and a local born and raised in this community, I am very disappointed in what myself and other veterans face when it is coming to getting…