Swannanoa Valley residents can get a free, chef-prepared meal at a drive-up site located in the parking lot of Symmetry Financial (next to Native Kitchen, 204 Whitson Avenue) on Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 12 noon (please note the time change from the prior pickup time of 3 – 4 p.m.). Food Connection, Wicked Weed and YMCA of WNC partnered to provide the free meals beginning on May 2, in response to the hardships created by the coronavirus pandemic. The program was originally scheduled to end on June 23, but Food Connection now has a new partner, Katy Button Restaurant Group, that will provide meals throughout the summer, and possibly beyond.

The free “to go” meals are individually boxed, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Though meals change each week, there is always a vegetarian offering. One recent menu included roasted chicken, steamed broccoli with garlic butter, and saffron rice. Approximately 300 meals have been handed out each Saturday at the Swannanoa distribution site.

Please share this good news with your Swannanoa Valley friends and neighbors. And a BIG thank you to Food Connection and their partners for making these free meals available to our community!

Cars line up in the parking lot of Symmetry Financial, at 204 Whitson Avenue, to receive free meals distributed by Food Connection, a local nonprofit.