Food banks have experienced an influx of people seeking nutritious food during COVID-19. Hear how ASAP is connecting local farms with food relief organizations to provide fresh produce during the pandemic.

Agritourism is changing in response to COVID-19. Hear how Mountain Harvest Organics and Franny’s Farm are adapting their approach to on-farm lodging this summer.

A thriving food system depends on strong relationships between farmers. Hear how Beacon Village Farm built local partnerships while scaling up from a market garden to an organic wholesale farm.

After a year of learning how to grow vegetables on their farm in Madison County, Stephanie Vinat and Jeremiah Batla of The AppaLatin Farmstead were ready to bring Latin peppers like Aji Charapita and Ají Amarillo to farmers markets for the first time. When they lost their off-farm jobs due to the pandemic, they used that time to improve their land and connect with the community as they embarked on their first year in business.

Higher education is changing in response to COVID-19. ASAP’s Growing Minds program is providing community colleges with online resources so future educators can learn about farm to school philosophies and activities that they can share with preschoolers.

Evan Chender, aka The Culinary Gardener, grew edible flowers and specialty greens for restaurants until COVID-19 hit. Then he shifted to a CSA model where the vegetables go to home kitchens instead of restaurant plates.

Farmers in the Appalachian Grown region, including Green Toe Ground Farm and Mountain Harvest Organics, receive immediate needs grants as they adapt to operating during COVID-19.

Chefs and farmers find new ways to collaborate and feed people in need as North Carolina restaurants operate in limited capacities.

The closure and delays of multiple farmers markets prompted ASAP to create a new outdoor market in a matter of days. Hear how the market operates and why it’s more important than ever to support the local food system.

Photo credit: Camilla Calnan Photography

For over 70 years, Sunburst Trout Farms has been a mainstay of the Western North Carolina food system. Hear how this family business is adapting its processing facility and distribution methods to meet new challenges.