ASAP launches took to find local food
ASHEVILLE – ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) launched its newly redesigned online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org. The updated website features improved functionality and better user experience.
ASAP’s Local Food Guide is the definitive source for discovering local food, connecting customers with more than 1,350 farms, restaurants, farmers markets, and businesses in the Appalachian Grown region. A print edition is published annually in the spring. The full online guide is updated and available throughout the year and is searchable by location, hours of operation, growing practices, product type, and more.
Key features include:
- A popup filter box lets you keep refining your search—find farms that have u-pick, restaurants open now, farmers markets with SNAP incentives, and more.
- Map search helps you locate farms, restaurants, and farmers markets close to you.
- Calendar search allows you to easily look for farmers markets by day of the week.
“ASAP’s vision is that local food becomes the default choice. Making it easier for people to learn how and where to shop for local food, connect with farms in their communities, and identify businesses that are sourcing locally is fundamental to that. The online Local Food Guide is a powerful and unique tool with so much information—but we knew the outdated design made it hard to navigate. We’re thrilled to launch this update, which makes this tool both easier to use and more visually representative of our region.”
The Appalachian Grown region consists of the 60 counties located within 100 miles of Asheville, including Western North Carolina and parts of Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. In addition to 1,350 listings in the Appalachian Grown region, ASAP partners with Nourish Knoxville to offer the online East Tennessee Local Food Guide, which includes listings for nearly 400 farms and local food businesses in Eastern Tennessee. This subsection can be accessed at appalachiangrown.org/nourish-knoxville.
ASAP’s mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food. To learn more, visit asapconnections.org.
Dueling glass artists showcase has returned
The 53 artists and crafters of Valley River Arts Guild at the Murphy Art Center have something exciting to show. For the third year in a row, “Dueling Glass Artists” showcases glassworks, created right before your eyes. Stop by The MAC First Friday Art Walk Aug. 7 evening, and Saturday Aug. 8 afternoon, free to the public.
Featured are local artists, Jim Allsopp and Steve Riedel’s stained-glass masterpieces, Carrie Keohane, Melanie Kolifrath, and Bruce Hagenau’s fused and stained-glass techniques, and Kathy Alpert’s glass mosaics.
Allsopp attended his first stained-glass class on a whim at community college where he grew up near Chicago. He’s also an expert photographer with a keen interest in the sky as a retired meteorologist who travels the world.
Riedel was born in Indiana, learned stained glass from his dad, and loves to work with his hands. He’s a passionate guitarist, playing since 3rd grade and owns 30 guitars.
Keohane hails from Fort Myers, following her talented artist mom’s footsteps, fell in love with glass art, and is an award-winning artist who loves to travel.
Kilifrath grew up in Coral Springs, hooked on fused glass art from her first moment in a Florida classroom, and continues to spread her wings trying new techniques.
Alpert started her glass career in the 1970s with a class but is mostly self-taught in mosaics, fused glass, paper collage, and torch-fired enamel.
Hagenau became interested in the colors, stories, and symbolism of glass art as a child born in Hawaii. He creates stained and fused glass in his own kiln and also plays the piano.
Guild members will have dozens of reflective and shiny crafts and art to complement the new glass artworks. “Glass and Reflections Showcase” is on display, all items available for purchase, throughout August and September inside the MAC.
The MAC also sponsors “Jim & Marci Wilcox & Friends," performing on the stage downtown. There’s also a special “Kids Make n’ Take Craft” at The MAC. Come early while supplies last, free of charge thanks to Valley River Arts Guild at the Murphy Art Center.
National blood crisis now: Immediate need for blood donations
For only the second time in history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis — and patients may already be feeling the impact. Donors are asked to act immediately to help save lives.
Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, worsening this season’s emergency blood shortage. All blood types are needed, but the situation is especially dire for type O blood as the Red Cross is now limiting distributions of these blood products to hospitals. The supply of type O positive blood has now dropped below a one-day supply.
Help end this crisis and stabilize the blood supply. Book an appointment to give blood now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). As a thank-you, all who come to give by July 31 will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket by email (up to $15 ticket price and fees). See RedCrossBlood.org/July.
Additionally, those who come to give Aug. 1-31, 2026, will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/August.
Despite thousands of people who have stepped up to help end the emergency blood shortage since it was declared earlier this month, donations are still not keeping pace with hospital demand, and the situation has escalated. Extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses continue to contribute to lower donor turnout this summer.
“This summer has brought a number of unique challenges that have placed additional strain on our blood supply, creating growing concerns for hospitals and the patients who rely on lifesaving transfusions,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of donor services for the Red Cross. “If just three more donors gave at each blood drive this summer, we could help the blood supply rebound and ensure hospitals have the blood products they need throughout the remainder of the season.”
Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 27-Aug. 15:
- Murphy: 8/11/2026: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Peachtree Fire and Rescue, 115 Upper Peachtree Road
- Topton: 7/29/2026: 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Nantahala School, 213 Windingstairs Road
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
VA Announces third quarter funding in WNC
ASHEVILLE – The Western North Carolina VA Health Care System has received new funding for facility maintenance and improvement projects in the third quarter of fiscal year 2026, building on funds awarded earlier this year.
The funding is part of a record $4.8 billion in nationwide VA spending this fiscal year to modernize, repair, and improve health care facilities through the Veterans Health Administration's Non-recurring Maintenance program.
What the funding will support:
$24.1 million for Recapitalization Phase I, which will replace aging heating, cooling, and air-handling equipment across several buildings on campus — including new, correctly sized chillers and air conditioning units that will improve reliability and energy efficiency.
$53.7 million for Recapitalization Phase II, a wide-ranging effort to repair and modernize the exteriors of numerous campus buildings. This includes new roofs, replacement windows and doors, masonry and brick repairs, updated safety railings, exterior painting and cleaning, and accessibility improvements — work designed to protect the buildings for decades to come while keeping them safe for veterans, staff, and visitors.
A third phase, still in development, is expected to bring an additional $110 million in investment. It will include a facility-wide backup power system and a new central chiller plant, ensuring the hospital can keep running during power outages or emergencies.
Separately, funding for the Electronic Health Records modernization program is expected to be finalized by the end of September 2026.
"This is a significant step forward for our facility. From upgraded heating and cooling systems to major roof and building repairs, this funding ensures we're building a stronger foundation for the future of Veteran care in Western North Carolina,” said Craig Holbert Associate Director at the Western North Carolina VA Health Care System.
Nationwide investment: Of the $4.8 billion committed for fiscal year 2026, VA has obligated $2.2 billion so far, including:
$915 million to repair and upgrade outdated infrastructure in medical facilities nationwide
$229 million to prepare facilities for future electronic health record upgrades
$11 million for major building systems like elevators, electrical work, and boiler plants
Part of a broader commitment to Veterans
This investment reflects the Trump Administration's ongoing efforts to strengthen VA health care. Since January 20, 2025, VA has:
Enrolled more than 180,000 new veterans in VA health care in 2026
Opened 38 new VA health care facilities nationwide
Reduced the veterans benefits claims backlog by 72% – after it grew 24% under the previous administration – falling below 100,000 claims in February for the first time since 2020
Offered veterans more than 2.8 million appointments outside normal hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends
Permanently housed 51,936 homeless veterans in FY 2025, the highest number in seven years
For more information contact the Western North Carolina VA Health Care System Public Affairs Office at: vhaashpublicaffairs@va.gov.
State funding will help North Carolina’s seven major food banks
MILLS RIVER – MANNA FoodBank is celebrating a statewide investment of more than $9 million to support hunger relief across North Carolina. Included in the state’s new budget, the funding will help the state’s seven major food banks purchase and distribute North Carolina-produced agricultural products to neighbors facing food insecurity in every county.
For Western North Carolina, this investment comes at a critical time. Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene devastated the region, many families continue to navigate high food and housing costs, economic uncertainty and a long recovery. MANNA and its partner network are serving more neighbors than at any other point in the organization’s history.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, MANNA’s food distribution network averaged more than 65,000 visits each month. Before Hurricane Helene, that number had risen to approximately 158,000. Today, neighbors are making more than 220,000 visits each month across MANNA’s network of partner agencies, schools and community distribution programs serving 16 counties and the Qualla Boundary.
A portion of the statewide funding will support MANNA’s purchase of North Carolina-grown, produced or processed foods, along with the costs of distributing that food throughout Western North Carolina. The investment will help MANNA maintain a consistent supply of nutritious food while supporting the staff, transportation and distribution systems needed to move it efficiently across the organization’s service area.
Purchasing from North Carolina producers helps nourish neighbors while also providing an additional market for farmers and food producers. These investments circulate resources through rural economies and contribute to a more resilient regional food system. MANNA currently works with more than 70 farm partners, primarily in North Carolina and nearby South Carolina communities.
“This investment comes at an incredibly important moment for our region,” said Claire Neal, Chief Executive Officer of MANNA FoodBank. “These funds will help us purchase nutritious food from North Carolina farmers and producers and support the systems needed to distribute it throughout Western North Carolina. We are deeply grateful to the members of the General Assembly, Governor Stein and advocates across the state who came together to make this investment in our neighbors and agricultural communities possible.”
While this investment will have a meaningful impact, it will not fully offset the scale of the challenges facing families and hunger-relief organizations. Upcoming federal cost shifts and changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, could place additional financial and administrative pressure on states while affecting how some families access nutrition assistance.
Any reduction or disruption in SNAP benefits could cause more neighbors to turn to food banks and community pantries that are already responding to historic demand. Food banks play an essential role in meeting urgent needs, but charitable food assistance cannot replace the scale and reach of SNAP. For every meal provided through food banks, SNAP provides nine.
Continued state and federal investment in nutrition programs will be necessary to keep the gap between available food resources and community need from growing even wider. MANNA will continue working alongside its partners, donors, volunteers, community advocates and elected officials to protect access to nutrition assistance and ensure families and individuals throughout Western North Carolina can obtain the food they need.
“This funding shows what is possible when leaders recognize food security as an investment in the health, dignity and resilience of our communities,” Neal said. “We are grateful for this commitment and look forward to working with state leaders, farmers and community partners to build a stronger food system in which everyone in Western North Carolina has reliable access to nutritious food.”
MANNA FoodBank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has served Western North Carolina since 1983. For more information, visit MANNAFoodBank.org or call 828-299-FOOD.