Embracing Nutritional Wellness

National Nutrition Month serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of nutritious foods in promoting overall health and vitality. From fresh fruits and vegetables to whole grains and lean proteins, every food choice contributes to nourishing our bodies and enhancing our well-being. North Carolinians experience a higher rate of health issues than the national average, and the Appalachian region of the state again outpaces even the state’s higher rates. The connection of hunger to chronic health issues is clear: processed, sugar-laden foods are far more affordable than nutritious foods, and thus more accessible and easier on a household budget already struggling to afford basic groceries.

Educating and Empowering

At MANNA, we are committed to empowering individuals and families with the knowledge and resources needed to make healthier food choices. Through our nutrition education programs, online cooking workshops, and community outreach initiatives, we provide practical tools and valuable insights to help individuals adopt healthier eating habits and lead healthier lives. Our Nutrition Works team not only works to ensure that we are providing neighbors with nutrient-dense and calorie-dense foods, but also recipes that provide clients with a tasty way to cook up the food that they are bringing home from our mobile markets.

Nourishing Our Communities

We recognize that access to nutritious foods is essential for building healthy communities. Through our network of partner agencies and community collaborations, we work tirelessly to ensure that nutritious food is accessible and available to individuals and families facing food insecurity in Western North Carolina. By addressing the root causes of hunger and promoting access to healthy food options, we strive to create a healthier and more equitable community for all.

Taking Action

As we celebrate National Nutrition Month, let’s take meaningful steps toward prioritizing our health and well-being. Whether it’s incorporating more fresh produce into our diets, exploring new recipes, or learning about healthy cooking techniques, every positive choice we make contributes to our overall health and vitality.

Together, let’s harness the power of nutrition to nourish our bodies, nurture our well-being, and build healthier communities across Western North Carolina and beyond.

Conversely, as disaster relief funds are going away, MANNA is not able to purchase as much food as we did during the pandemic without relief funding. Although we are working extremely hard to increase the amount of donated food, we have yet to reach our pre-pandemic levels of food donations.  

Although we are on track to provide approximately 21.2 million pounds of food or the equivalent of 17.1 million meals this year, a 6% increase over last year, we are still deeply concerned that the amount of food that we are able to provide is not keeping pace with the 18.2% increase in the number of our neighbors who are in great need of our support.  

Our communities are a tapestry woven with individuals each with their unique lived experiences—those working lower-wage jobs, seniors on fixed incomes, single parents striving to feed their children, individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities, and those facing situational poverty. Even those who once managed to make ends meet are now one unexpected expense away from not knowing where their next meals are coming from.  

We are inspired and awed by the challenges that we have overcome because of your care and compassion and are reminded on a daily basis about what is possible when good people share the same ethos.  

Additionally, we are energized in knowing that because we can provide four meals for $1.00, every single dollar matters. It is beautiful to envision our neighbors enjoying salads, sandwiches, and Sunday morning breakfasts together as we do. Your support truly is an act of kindness that reverberates throughout our communities across WNC and the Qualla Boundary. 

With heartfelt thanks and much hope for the future, 

—Claire Neal 

Every dollar counts. If you feel called to support our mission, donations can easily be made here: