In the recent issue of Mountain Xpress, they detail a timeline of “Asheville’s Food Scene Evolution” that includes many who work with food vendors and in food-related programs (ASAP, BR Food Ventures, Asheville Wine & Food Fest, Asheville City Market etc) but misses some key players involved in our vibrant and dynamic food scene like:
- MILKCO, owned by Ingles, which buys milks from local dairy farmers and supplies milk to Ingles, Earthfare and area schools;
- Mountain Biz Works, which provides training, education and loans to area small businesses — many mentioned on the timeline;
- Biltmore Estate and Biltmore Wines — a major tourist destination, award-winning restaurants, the most visited winery in the U.S. (Ingles was the first retailer to sell their wines);
- (Omni) Grove Park Inn – historic inn with multiple restaurants providing employment and training opportunities for A-B Tech culinary grads;
- Carolina Farm Stewardship Association — education for organic farmers like New Sprout Farms;
- N.C. Cooperative Extension Service — providing training and education to farmers and consumers;
- Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau — coined the term “Foodtopia”;
- and Ingles Markets — founded in Asheville in 1963, one of Buncombe county’s largest employers and the supermarket/grocer that buys the most local produce and products.
Leah McGrath
Ingles Markets, Black Mountain
