ASHEVILLE – The prolonged government shutdown has threatened to delay federal benefits distribution of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and may also disrupt the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, effective Nov. 1.
More than 29,000 Buncombe County residents were reported to be participating in the SNAP program as of April, and more than 4,600 people were participating in WIC, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Some Western North Carolina agencies have reported further food insecurity issues stemming from factors including Tropical Storm Helene and the recent state funding cut to the Medicaid program, the Healthy Opportunities Pilot, which concluded on June 30.
MANNA FoodBank works with more than 220 food banks and pantries to provide food to residents across Western North Carolina.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, year-over-year food cost inflation has raised grocery prices by 3.2% from August 2024 to August 2025.
The mounting difficulties have led more people to turn to food banks and other hunger relief organizations for assistance.
Here is a list of food banks and other places in Buncombe County and greater Western North Carolina where you can find free and discounted food, as well as other support.
Volunteers work with Bounty & Soul to distribute produce to Black Mountain residents, Sept. 18, 2025.
-
MANNA FoodBank. The Food Finder Tool, at mannafoodbank.org/where-to-get-help/, provides a map of MANNA FoodBank’s more than 220 nonprofit pantries, meal sites and other community-based organizations offering free food across 16 Western North Carolina counties, including the Qualla Boundary. For further assistance, call or text the Food Helpline between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday at (828) 290-9749.
-
Bounty & Soul. Multiple markets, offering free produce and other whole foods, operate throughout the weekend in Asheville, Black Mountain, Fairview and Swannanoa. View the locations and schedule at bountyandsoul.org/community/market-schedule/.
-
YMCA of Western North Carolina. The free mobile food markets travel across the region, including to parks, libraries, health system offices and neighborhood hubs across Asheville, Candler, Clyde, Hendersonville, Leicester, Marshall, Marion, Mills River and Old Fort. View the schedule and locations at ymcawnc.org/programs/community/food-programs. The YMCA is offering financial assistance for memberships and programs for those affected by the shutdown. Call (828) 251-5910 or email [email protected] for details.
-
Asheville Poverty Initiative/12 Baskets Café. The café opens at 10 a.m. for free coffee and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for free lunch service and store on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 610 Haywood Road in West Asheville. For more, visit ashevillepovertyinitiative.org/12baskets.
-
Haywood Street Congregation/Downtown Welcome Table. Free lunch is served from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays at 297 Haywood St. in Asheville. Meals are served family-style, with seating every half hour by checking into the reservation booth. For group seating, email [email protected] or call (828) 575-2477, ext. 301. For more, visit haywoodstreet.org/downtown-welcome-table/.
-
Southside Community Farm. The Southside Free Grocery Program serves the Southside neighborhood, a food desert, by providing an outdoor pantry and refrigerator stocked with produce grown at the urban farm. Locations include the Edington Center (133 Livingston St.), Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center (285 Livingston St.) and the South French Free Fridge and pantry (382 South French Broad Ave.) For more locations and details, visit southsidecommunitygarden.org.
-
Food Connection. Fresh free meals are distributed from Food Connection “Beyond the Bus Line” distribution sites, including in Candler, Fairview, Leicester, Swannanoa and Weaverville. For the schedule and locations, visit food-connection.org.
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Tips, comments, questions? Email [email protected] or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram. Sign up for AVL Bites and Brews, our weekly food and drink newsletter here.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Where to find free food in Asheville, WNC amid pause of SNAP benefits
