PICKLEPALOOZA
ASHEVILLE — Western North Carolina residents' challenges in finding and affording food have been exacerbated by rising food costs, a higher cost of living, cuts to programs like North Carolina's Medicaid Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) that reduced health care costs, and hardships from Tropical Storm Helene, which devastated the region nearly two years ago.
Megan Martell, co-executive director of WNC Food Coalition, a nonprofit that coordinates with 11 local food hubs to stock and distribute food to people across 19 WNC counties and the Qualla Boundary, said the unprecedented storm of fall 2024 severely damaged infrastructure, limiting access to food sources, causing grocery stores to close, increasing food deserts, and compounding the existing food insecurity.
"We have major federal and state funding cuts ... so many programs have been lost in the last year and a half or so, so hunger is increasing. Helene made hunger skyrocket," Martell said.
Martell said that, according to NC Initiative, food insecurity rates in WNC consistently outpaced state averages due to the region's high cost of living, with post-disaster assessments showing more than 30% of WNC residents are considered "housing cost-burdened," spending over 30% of their income just on rent and utilities. Martell said that it's common that when rent increases, families and individuals cut grocery budgets first.
On Aug. 14, WNC Food Coalition will host Picklepalooza, a pickleball fundraising tournament with proceeds supporting the nonprofit's multifaceted food outreach programs, including stocking refrigerated, free food pantries with local produce and locally raised meat, dairy and eggs. The event will be held at the Asheville Sports Club, 137 Coxe Ave., in downtown's South Slope district.
WNC Food Coalition works to build a stronger food system by purchasing produce from nearly 650 WNC small to midsize farms and supporting the local food hubs that aggregate and distribute the food for retail and charitable giving.
Its Fresh Food Campaign allows it to deliver more fresh, nutrient-dense food and reduce climate impact by buying locally instead of shipping food in from outside the area. In 2027, the organization plans to launch an Institutional Buying program to make the food accessible to about 4,700 college and university students.
"Inflation is rising, tariffs are impacting fertilizer and the cost of growing food," Martell said. "All of those rising costs mean that if we can localize our food economy, we protect jobs and keep our local dollars circulating in the counties where people are growing food and eating food."
Martell said that the Snack Bag delivery programs serve more than 13,000 people who have difficulty accessing charitable food. The coalition partners with youth-serving organizations and harm reduction groups to fill gaps in the existing hunger relief system.
"Everybody eats, and everybody eats better with local food," Martell said.
Grab a paddle for Picklepalooza
WNC Food Coalition picked pickleball for its main fundraising event, as the social sport's popularity continues to rise. Asheville Sports Club offers a lively party environment with two full pickleball courts, large-screen TVs, indoor and outdoor seating areas, and full-service bars stocked with adult and zero-proof beverages.
Picklepalooza festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the pickleball tournament kicking off at 6 p.m.
"Picklepalooza will be so much fun. You'll come and learn, hang out, and meet people working in the food system. It will be a great community event," Martell said.
Pickleball tournament team registration is $100, which includes entry for the two teammates and two cheer squad pals, two drink tickets, and two Picklepalooza Tournament T-shirts. The event is capped at 16 teams.
The winning team and two runners-up teams will be awarded local gift baskets with products from businesses including The Hop, 5th Season, Sow True, Second Gear, Outshine Physical Therapy and Resting Point Farms.
General-admission tickets are $5 each. The event is open to all ages.
Activities and vendors will include face painting, STEAM with Build Curious Design Studios, South Slope Acupuncture, Outshine Physical Therapy, RAD Farmers Market, and Cooperate WNC, with Big Mouth Empanadas food truck selling meals and snacks.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, an estimated 30-40% of food in the U.S. is thrown away, contributing to climate change. Food Connection, a local nonprofit, will help recover uneaten food at the event to distribute it and reduce food waste at Picklepalooza.
The Sunshine Collective will demonstrate and host quick pickling activities to learn how to make garden and CSA produce last, which is also part of the WNC Food Coalition's goal to reduce food waste. The vegetables will be sourced from the Bountiful Cities Share Market.
Teaching how to preserve ingredients and make shelf-stable food also goes back to the long tradition of pickling and sustainability in the Appalachians.
"It's a big part of bringing a healthy food culture forward," Martell said.
To register, and to learn more about WNC Food Coalition, visit wncfoodcoalition.org.
Where to find food support in Buncombe County
WNC Food Coalition, founded in 2020, operates with a staff of four people and invites community members to volunteer.
"It's complex, and that's why we have to work together. No one organization can solve the problem of hunger in WNC," Martell said.
Here are some places offering free and affordable groceries and meals, and food insecurity resources and support.
■ Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM). abccm.org
■ „Asheville Poverty Initiative/12 Baskets Café. ashevillepovertyinitiative.org/12baskets
■ „ Bounty and Soul. bountyandsoul.org
■„ Caja Solidaria. cajasolidaria.org
„■ Equal Plates Project. equalplatesproject.org „
■ Food Connection. food-connection.org/ „
■ MANNA FoodBank. mannafoodbank.org „
■ WNC Food Coalition. wnc-foodcoalition.org
■„ YMCA of Western North Carolina. ymcawnc.org
Reporting is by Tiana Kennell, Asheville Citizen Times, for the USA TODAY Network.
