Food Hub Responds to Hurricane Helene’s Impact in Western North Carolina

By: Lauren Ramsey – Wise News Network

Spruce Pine, NC (WNN)- In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which swept through Western North Carolina, local organizations are stepping up to support the community and help its recovery efforts. One such organization is Tractor Food and Farms, a nonprofit food hub based in Spruce Pine, North Carolina.

Introduction to Tractor Food and Farms

Sierra Bryant, the operations manager at Tractor Food and Farms, introduces the organization as “a nonprofit food hub” that works with “a network of about 250 different farmers across Western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.” Their mission is to source products from local farmers and “redistribute that into the community” through various programs.

Range of Programs and Products

Tractor Food and Farms offers a diverse range of programs, including paid and subsidized options. Sierra points out a special program. “We even have a program where you can get a prescription for fresh produce if you have diet-related illnesses.” The organization primarily focuses on “produce, meat, eggs, dairy, any kind of products that are sourced from farmers.”

Partnership with Shepherd Staff

Our WNN interview took place at Shepherd Staff, a food pantry that partners with Tractor Food and Farms. Sierra explained, “Shepherd staff is a food pantry that is one of our partners, and they lease this facility from us. And we often donate fresh produce to them for them to distribute items to the community.”

Impact of Recent Events

The community has been significantly affected by recent natural disasters. Sierra, who lives in nearby Bakersville, notes, “Honestly, every single person has been affected in some way. Whether that’s been weeks without power, family, friends, trees down, flooding, every single person has been affected in one way or another.”

Agricultural Challenges

As a farmer herself, Sierra highlights the specific challenges faced by the agricultural community: “Many of our farmers have been affected, by flooding, because the most fertile land in this area is your river bottoms. A lot of the cattle are drinking from the creeks. So everyone has ties to the river.”

Support for Farmers

Efforts are underway to support local farmers. Sierra mentions, ” We are expecting a delivery next week for some hay, some feed, some cover crops for farmers, some seed for cover cropping. To help try to preserve the banks this winter.”

Community Needs and Donations

In response to recent events, the organization is carefully managing donations. Sierra states, “Right now we’re saying donations have to be pre-scheduled. Because we do have a large inventory at the moment, but we are constantly being requested for items such as heaters, propane tanks, CO2 detectors, various items to help some of these folks get through the winter.”

Location

If you would like to pre-schedule a material donation or receive any items, visit Tractor Food and Farms at 10992 NC-226, Spruce Pine, NC 28777, or the websites below:

https://tractorfoodandfarms.com/donate

https://www.mcshepherdsstaff.org/donate

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