Our Mission

Our mission is to enhance and promote community health by advocating for an equitable and economically viable local food system to strengthen community by working to:

Ensure local food is affordable and accessible to low income community members.

Increase the supply and consumer demand of local food in McDowell County.

Engage youth in the production, marketing & selling of local foods.

Engage local government, institutional, and grassroots leaders to support LFAC and growth of McDowell County's local food economy.

OUR VISION

A sustainable local food system enhancing livelihoods for farmers, ensuring food security, and improving overall health and wellness for all.

How we got here…

  • 2015:

    • McDowell Extension Director hosts asset mapping, leading to the establishment of the McDowell Local Food Advisory Council.

  • 2016 - 2017:

    • McDowell LFAC directs a feasibility study to explore the possibility of establishing a Food Hub to serve farmers, pantries, and other organizations.

    • Monthly meetings are held at the Extension and St. John's Episcopal Church to facilitate collaboration among agencies, community partners, and stakeholders.

  • 2018:

    • Fundraising efforts begin.

    • Community outreach is intensified to engage with community members and understand their needs.

    • More council meetings are held to continue planning and coordination.

  • 2019:

    • Initial space at Barnes Rd is set up for food storage, supporting various organizations including EMS Care Paramedic program, Freedom Life, and pantries.

  • 2020 - 2021:

    • Major expansion of community food support occurs through Covid funding and other grants, likely in response to increased food insecurity during the pandemic.

  • 2022:

    • FarmsShare program begins, with over $115,000 paid out to farmers.

    • USDA funding supports additional produce initiatives.

    • Healthy Opportunities program begins.

  • Nov 2022:

    • Food Hub construction is completed, marking a significant infrastructure milestone.

  • 2023:

    • Management of the Tailgate Market begins.

    • Expected payout of over $200,000+ to farmers through market activities.

    • USDA funding continues to support initiatives.

    • Healthy Opportunities program expands.

    • Staff and board expansion reflects organizational growth and increased capacity.

  • 2024:

    • A new building is purchased to build a new facility, indicating continued expansion to accommodate rapid growth and sustain future initiatives.

    • Our team facilitated feeding over 1,000 service members in the wake of Hurricane Helene while simultaneously backpacking food and water to the hardest hit areas and supplying/facilitating distribution sites county wide.