Macon County Food Council
A food council is typically a group of community members, organizations, churches and local government that come together to address food-related issues in their area. A group in Macon County has been meeting for approximately 2 years to collaborate on food access, farmers markets, food waste and much more. They meet the first Thursday of the month and you are welcome to join!
Mission:
Our work brings community members and organizations together to create programming, policy-change and community action to increase all Macon County inhabitants’ access to healthy food. Beyond charitable distribution, we want to see increased economic opportunity for local farmers, affordable options for high-quality foods and joyful gatherings for the community to share meals.
❋When do we meet?
First Thursday of every month from 9:30-11.
Contact MaconCountyFoodCouncil@gmail.com for location
❋ Resources
❋ Goals for 2026
Impact food-related policy in Macon County
Four collaborative food drives
Initiate a community food club
What we've done so far:
-
A major achievement of the early days of the Council was the creation and launch of the Macon County Farmers Market. Now its own 501c3. Operating three seasons in downtown Franklin with over 30 vendors.
-
Winding Stair, Macon County Library and the Macon County Farmers Market collaborated to provide recipes at the market for featured produce. Recipe cards were linked to demonstration videos. The archive can be found here.
-
A culturally appropriate canned food drive for Vecino’s new food pantry in Franklin
-
Sponsored by the WNC Food Coalition, two walk-up pantries were built. One at the Macon County Public Library and the other at Asbury Church in Otto.
-
Through the connections and meetings of the Council, pantries and organizations came together to fill gaps in the aftermath of HOP discontinuation and ongoing distribution efforts.
-
Flyered Macon County and connected catering and other businesses that may host holiday events with local organizations that can receive leftovers. Education about the Good Samaritans Law.
Cowee School Kitchen Project:
Fresh meals, Sustainable Programs.
Cowee School Kitchen Project: Fresh meals, Sustainable Programs.
