YMCA of Western North Carolina Unveils New Nutrition Outreach Hub

The YMCA of Western North Carolina is expanding their vision to address nutrition deficiency in rural areas, unveiling their new Nutrition Outreach Hub in the bustling town of Woodfin. On January 31, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the opening of this vital center dedicated to prevent food scarcity in the neighboring areas.

A Hub Providing Fresh Produce and Vital Education

Almost three times larger than the previous nutrition center located in Asheville YMCA, the new Nutrition Outreach Hub is set to play a significant role in providing fresh produce across a five-county area. According to Aimee Kuelling, the marketing and communications director at the YMCA of WNC, this dedicated group has distributed an impressive 1.47 million pounds of fresh produce in the last decade.

The nutritional outreach team aims to expand its reach, helping to curb issues like limited public transportation and costly produce that have been causing difficulties for people in accessing fresh food. Their mobile food markets program, providing free produce around the town to anyone who desires it, is yet another innovative initiative supported by the new facility.

Ashley Tee, YMCA of WNC’s executive director of community health, shared the inspiration behind this noble cause. “The need we saw to bring fresh produce to our neighbors at community hubs like libraries, community centers, schools, and churches was the real driving force that initiated our program 10 years ago,” she said.

A Platform for Larger Donations

The larger space provided by the new hub has opened doors for more generous donations, making an even greater impact. The center’s food, primarily donated by MANNA FoodBank, various grocery stores, and local farmers, can now be accepted in larger quantities. The supplies also come from YMCA members who donate extra vegetables from their garden during summer.

Other Programs and Opportunities

Not only does the Nutrition Outreach Hub focus on distributing food donations, but it also hosts multiple wellness programs. From delivering meal boxes to Managed Medicaid members through the Healthy Opportunities Pilots to offering Cooking Matters Signature Courses, the hub intends to improve the eating habits of low-income individuals and families.

The Food Explorers after-school nutrition program is also available at the hub. This program works to instill the importance of nutritious food for both emotional and physical health among kids. It educates them to try new foods and make healthy food choices confidently.

The YMCA also provides an array of volunteering opportunities. Anybody willing to contribute can participate in numerous activities, including sorting donated food, packing and delivering meal boxes, and assisting with cooking classes.

You can visit the newly opened YMCA Nutrition Outreach Hub at 2002 Riverside Drive, Woodfin and learn more about their beneficial programs and their noble mission.