“Many items that are now standard construction practices have been removed from our checklist, while we have added opportunities to gain points for new technologies,” explained Maggie Leslie, the nonprofit’s program director.
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“Many items that are now standard construction practices have been removed from our checklist, while we have added opportunities to gain points for new technologies,” explained Maggie Leslie, the nonprofit’s program director.
Market managers and vendors at the markets participating in the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s Double SNAP initiative, which matches Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits dollar-for-dollar on edible items, saw SNAP transactions nearly triple from 2019 to 2020, and 80% of responding vendors said they’d experienced sales growth due to the program.
In a beleaguered industry, workers and business owners deal with a host of challenges from unstable finances to rude and unreasonable customers.
Press release from the Asheville Outlets: The need for blood continues to be great. In response to continued demand, Asheville Outlets will host two blood drives in the month of February: American Red Cross Blood Drive, Saturday, February 13 Saturday, February 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Asheville Outlets will partner with the American […]
The Asheville-based nonprofit Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s work included both valuable wildlife habitats, such as the Wiles Creek and Little Rock Creek preserves, and prime farmland at risk of development. Sandy Hollar Farms in Buncombe County and Bowditch Bottoms in Yancey County were among the agricultural projects completed in 2020.
Press release from Buncombe County Government: Community Engagement Market Canceled for Jan. 4 Because of the impact of confirmed cases of COVID, the Buncombe County Community Engagement indoor community market scheduled for today at the Deaverview Community Center has been canceled. The outdoor community market scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 5, at Enka Middle from 5-6:30 […]
It’s time to celebrate the creativity of our community’s response to the pandemic, even as we acknowledge the pain, uncertainty and loss that surely still lie ahead. Community members weigh in on the successes that fill them with pride as they look back on 2020.
Press release form Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project: Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s Double SNAP program has dramatically increased SNAP customers and sales at farmers markets. In a recent survey of markets and shoppers, ASAP found that Double SNAP is providing vital access to fresh, healthy food during a challenging time, as well as bringing in more […]
Burnsville resident Katherine Savage feels a unique kinship with a small patch of ground on the campus of Warren Wilson College. The 5-foot by 60-foot plot was home this year to a crop of flax, a traditional Southern Appalachian fiber plant, which she is helping process into linen that she will someday wear as her burial shroud.
Press release from Buncombe County: A popular drive-thru holiday light show that already raises funds for local Special Olympics athletes will also collect nonperishable food items for area families in partnership with MANNA FoodBank – and visitors will receive a complimentary admission to see the illuminated wonderland in exchange for a donation. On Tuesday, Dec. […]
Press release from Mountain BizWorks: Mountain BizWorks and Outdoor Gear Builders of WNC today announced the 9 companies participating in the second annual Waypoint Accelerator program, which launches December 3 and continues through March 2021. Waypoint Accelerator provides promising new outdoor startups with focused support and resources to help them start, grow and thrive. “As […]
Press release from Bee City USA Hendersonville: Even as a Bee Mural is being painted on the exterior wall of Hands On! Children’s Museum in downtown Hendersonville, a demonstration pollinator garden is being prepared in the nearby areas of Azalea parking lot, where the work on the mural is most visible. In coming weeks, visitors […]
Press release from the United Way of North Carolina: United Way of NC (UWNC) has just released COVID-19 Impact statewide survey results, which provide a snapshot of how North Carolina households have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic from March 18 to August 31, 2020. Respondents report being most concerned about themselves or a loved one contracting […]
Unable to host the in-person events that they’ve come to rely on for funding, these two local nonprofits are scraping by, thanks to loyal supporters and innovation.
Asheville Strong’s newest initiative, Feed Our City, takes its concept from Restaurants for the People, a COVID-response program launched in mid-May by Spanish chef and humanitarian Jose Andres through his World Central Kitchen nonprofit.
Press release from Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project: Even though it’s getting colder, you can still find fresh, local food at area farmers tailgate markets. Several markets in Buncombe County will offer holiday markets or extended seasons in November and December. In addition to seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, and bread, these markets feature local artists and […]
Press release from the City of Hendersonville: Muralist Matt Willey, who is on a mission to paint 50,000 honey bees (the number in a healthy hive) in murals around the world, will begin the Bee Mural Project in downtown Hendersonville on Monday, October 26. For the next four to five weeks, from late October into […]
Press release from Hendersonville Tree Board: Muralist Matt Willey, who is on a mission to paint 50,000 honey bees (the number in a healthy hive) in murals around the world, will begin the Bee Mural Project in downtown Hendersonville on Monday, October 26. For the next four to five weeks, from late October into November, […]
Black Folks Camp Too founder Earl B. Hunter Jr. said new marketing collaborations would help him develop more interest in camping among the Black community. And later this month, Asheville-based artist Matthew Willey will begin work on a giant mural of honey bees at Hendersonville’s Hands On! Children’s Museum.
Press release from Buncombe County: Buncombe County has opened the 2020-2021 application cycle of the Community Recreation Grants program. The grants are part of other countywide initiatives that help make Buncombe County a place everyone from infants to retirees has the opportunity to be strong, healthy, and successful. The program is intended to help community […]
The program, explains communications coordinator Sarah Hart, allows the market to make a 100 percent match on dollars spent through SNAP. “People swipe their SNAP card for $5 and get $10 in tokens to shop the market,” she says.