ASAP likes to share the stories of people who help us fulfill our mission. Each month we interview someone working in agriculture, the food system, farm to school education, or community health. These stories are also shared in our monthly newsletter.
Shiloh Avery is co-owner of Tumbling Shoals Farm in Wilkes County, North Carolina for the past 18 years and will be co-presenting a workshop at ASAP’s 2025 Business of Farming Conference (Feb. 22, 8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, NC). Along with Jason Roehrig, the workshop titled,”You Can’t … Read more
Like the rest of Asheville’s food community, we are heartbroken at the loss of Brian Canipelli, chef and owner of Cucina 24. From his restaurant’s inception in 2008, Brian has been a model in sourcing from local farms and building strong bonds with farmers. Below are excerpts from an interview ASAP did with Brian and … Read more
Farmer Danielle Hutchison will give a welcome address as part of the 2025 Business of Farming Conference on February 22 at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, NC. Danielle began farming in 2008 and is the co-owner and operator of TendWell Farm in McDowell County, North Carolina. Can you share a little about yourself … Read more
Ali and Brian are in the midst of moving their farm, Seven Seeds Farm, from Burnsville to Marshall. As beginning farmers, they have a few market outlets including a spring and main season CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) that support their farm year-round. Ali and Brian have big dreams for their new space including an expanded … Read more
Mike Bean is a local chef with Finest Deli (though temporarily on hold) serving up fresh eats at farmers markets in Buncombe County. He serves on On Track WNC‘s Board of Directors and quickly shifted his cooking skills to support meal operations with World Central Kitchen to keep the people of Western North Carolina fed … Read more
Vinny Bonanno is the Executive Director of the West Asheville Tailgate Market (WATM) since 2022, owner operator of Stretching in Public, a Make it Happen coach, and the lead on various creative projects and performances around the Asheville area. After Helene made landfall, Vinny opted to open WATM only days later. The West Asheville Tailgate … Read more
Jason Treadway (pictured on the left) is the Director of Food and Nutrition for Verner Center for Early Learning. Verner has worked with Growing Minds to source from local farms and provide farm to school activities for the students. Jason’s staff of six serves breakfast, lunch, and snacks and two sites each day. Food is … Read more
Lucy Wetzel (pictured on the right) and her two-year-old son Wiley are avid farmers market goers, shopping at multiple markets per week. Lucy participates in both ASAP’s Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables program and Farm Fresh Produce Prescription. How has the Farm Fresh Produce Prescription made an impact on your life and household? We … Read more
William Yates is an AIG (Academically or Intellectually Gifted) teacher at Waynesville Middle School. He spent three weeks this summer embedded in ASAP’s programs as part of the 2024–25 Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership. The fellowship connects outstanding educators with mentors, creating opportunities and relationships to help students understand how STEM concepts apply in … Read more
Dawn Jordan, on the left, is the Agricultural Economic Development Director for Polk County, which has coordinated the NC Foothills Farm Tour as well as homestead tours in the county for many years. This year, Polk County will instead be part of ASAP’s Farm Tour! (Look for announcement of farms and other cluster areas in … Read more