We are much more likely to choose healthy food if we help prepare it.
We empower youth and families to grow, prepare, and enjoy fruits and vegetables through hands-on cooking and garden education.
We empower youth and families to grow, prepare, and enjoy fruits and vegetables through hands-on cooking and garden education.
FEAST classes focus on:
- Problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
- Increasing fresh, locally grown produce in everyday living.
- Gaining confidence by exploring different ways to grow and prepare fresh produce.
- Creating and changing recipes and substituting ingredients.
- Learning how food and the environment affects the brain and body.
- Connecting to Core Curriculum and Essential Standards in math, reading, writing, science, health, and nutrition.
SCHOOL BASED PROGRAMS
school based programs
Lucy S. Herring Elementary – Lucy S. Herring Elementary School, part of the Asheville City Schools district, is a collaborative community that values diversity and fosters responsibility, individual excellence and environmental stewardship. Lucy S. Herring Elementary School of Ecology focuses on the study of people and their relationship with the natural environment.
FEAST has partnered with Lucy Herring since 2009 to manage the Herring Peace Garden and provide bi-weekly cooking and garden lessons to all Prek- 5th grade students that NC Common Core curriculum and the school’s Ecology magnet theme with hands-on, interactive units ensuring our students excel beyond just earning their green thumbs! We are deeply committed to encouraging a healthy and vibrant community, for our students and families, both during and beyond their time at Lucy Herring Elementary. Produce grown in the Herring Peace Garden is used in FEAST classes, sent home with students, and distributed on our Sharing Table beside the Cob Shed in the garden.
Hall Fletcher Elementary – HFE, part of the Asheville City Schools district, is a supportive, equitable STEAM school committed to student success. Hall Fletcher Elementary's vision is to empower students to be successful, life-long learners through problem-solving, community building, and rigorous instruction.
FEAST has partnered with Hall Fletcher since 2015 to manage the Hall Fletcher Garden and provide bi-weekly cooking and garden lessons to all K-5 students that integrate NC Common Core curriculum and the school’s STEAM magnet theme with hands-on, interactive units ensuring our students excel beyond just earning their green thumbs! We are deeply committed to encouraging a healthy and vibrant community, for our students and families, both during and beyond their time at Hall Fletcher Elementary. Produce grown in the HFE Garden is used in FEAST classes, sent home with students, and distributed on our Sharing Table near the school entrance.
Isaac Dickson Elementary – Isaac Dickson is one of six elementary schools in the Asheville City Schools district. Our magnet theme is Experiential Education. Our belief in hands-on learning comes from research that shows students learn best by doing. Through project based learning, students tackle a challenging academic curriculum in ways that are fun, engaging, meaningful, and adaptable to a variety of learning styles.
FEAST has partnered with Isaac Dickson since 2022 to support the expansion of garden programming at the school. Our FEAST Educator collaborates with the school’s Experiential Education Specialist to provide hands-on gardening and cooking lessons to students and maintain the school gardens. We have supported the school in maintaining the annual raised bed gardens and Apple Orchard as well as revitalizing pollinator gardens and a Touch and Feel sensory garden.
Francine Delany New School for Children – Francine Delany is a diverse K-8 charter school community committed to social justice and the inherent worth of every person. We believe that students learn best when actively engaged in an experientially rich, hands-on program of study. They’re challenged to develop critical thinking skills and to reach ambitious academic goals while developing self-respect and respect for others.
FEAST has partnered with Francine Delany since the spring of 2014. We bring weekly cooking and garden lessons to K-4 students, learning about all kinds of new foods, including lots of fresh vegetables. We have special gardens all over the FDNSC campus for students to engage with. Our students are so excited each week for FEAST class and have opened their minds to tasting and trying new things.
Hot Springs Elementary School – Hot Springs Elementary is a public school in the Madison County Schools system that serves approximately 158 students in PreK- 5th grade from the Hot Springs, Spring Creek, and Laurel communities where there is a rich cultural history. HSES aims to develop well-rounded, confident, and responsible individuals who aspire to achieve their full potential and Develop Leaders and Life-Long Learners!
In 2019, we began working with Hot Springs Elementary School to reclaim their garden which had become overgrown, and implement a garden maintenance plan as well as provide bi-weekly FEAST programming for all PreK- 5th grade students. The HSES Garden is committed to supporting the health and nutrition of our school families and the wider community. All produce is available for families and/or donated to community food distribution efforts.
FEAST has partnered with Lucy Herring since 2009 to manage the Herring Peace Garden and provide bi-weekly cooking and garden lessons to all Prek- 5th grade students that NC Common Core curriculum and the school’s Ecology magnet theme with hands-on, interactive units ensuring our students excel beyond just earning their green thumbs! We are deeply committed to encouraging a healthy and vibrant community, for our students and families, both during and beyond their time at Lucy Herring Elementary. Produce grown in the Herring Peace Garden is used in FEAST classes, sent home with students, and distributed on our Sharing Table beside the Cob Shed in the garden.
Hall Fletcher Elementary – HFE, part of the Asheville City Schools district, is a supportive, equitable STEAM school committed to student success. Hall Fletcher Elementary's vision is to empower students to be successful, life-long learners through problem-solving, community building, and rigorous instruction.
FEAST has partnered with Hall Fletcher since 2015 to manage the Hall Fletcher Garden and provide bi-weekly cooking and garden lessons to all K-5 students that integrate NC Common Core curriculum and the school’s STEAM magnet theme with hands-on, interactive units ensuring our students excel beyond just earning their green thumbs! We are deeply committed to encouraging a healthy and vibrant community, for our students and families, both during and beyond their time at Hall Fletcher Elementary. Produce grown in the HFE Garden is used in FEAST classes, sent home with students, and distributed on our Sharing Table near the school entrance.
Isaac Dickson Elementary – Isaac Dickson is one of six elementary schools in the Asheville City Schools district. Our magnet theme is Experiential Education. Our belief in hands-on learning comes from research that shows students learn best by doing. Through project based learning, students tackle a challenging academic curriculum in ways that are fun, engaging, meaningful, and adaptable to a variety of learning styles.
FEAST has partnered with Isaac Dickson since 2022 to support the expansion of garden programming at the school. Our FEAST Educator collaborates with the school’s Experiential Education Specialist to provide hands-on gardening and cooking lessons to students and maintain the school gardens. We have supported the school in maintaining the annual raised bed gardens and Apple Orchard as well as revitalizing pollinator gardens and a Touch and Feel sensory garden.
Francine Delany New School for Children – Francine Delany is a diverse K-8 charter school community committed to social justice and the inherent worth of every person. We believe that students learn best when actively engaged in an experientially rich, hands-on program of study. They’re challenged to develop critical thinking skills and to reach ambitious academic goals while developing self-respect and respect for others.
FEAST has partnered with Francine Delany since the spring of 2014. We bring weekly cooking and garden lessons to K-4 students, learning about all kinds of new foods, including lots of fresh vegetables. We have special gardens all over the FDNSC campus for students to engage with. Our students are so excited each week for FEAST class and have opened their minds to tasting and trying new things.
Hot Springs Elementary School – Hot Springs Elementary is a public school in the Madison County Schools system that serves approximately 158 students in PreK- 5th grade from the Hot Springs, Spring Creek, and Laurel communities where there is a rich cultural history. HSES aims to develop well-rounded, confident, and responsible individuals who aspire to achieve their full potential and Develop Leaders and Life-Long Learners!
In 2019, we began working with Hot Springs Elementary School to reclaim their garden which had become overgrown, and implement a garden maintenance plan as well as provide bi-weekly FEAST programming for all PreK- 5th grade students. The HSES Garden is committed to supporting the health and nutrition of our school families and the wider community. All produce is available for families and/or donated to community food distribution efforts.
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Asheville City Schools 21st Century Community Learning Center- Forte @ Hall Fletcher and Herring Hearts at Lucy S Herring
The Asheville City Schools 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) program brings learning to life through afterschool programs at Claxton Busy Bees, Hall Fletcher FORTE, and Herring Hearts. Funded through a federal grant and offered at no cost to families, the program blends academic support with hands-on enrichment. Students engage with literacy and math activities, spark curiosity with STEAM projects, get moving with daily physical activity, and grow their creativity through FEAST gardening and cooking, arts, and more. With snacks, transportation home, and a whole-child approach, 21st CCLC ensures every student has the opportunity to thrive. FEAST partners with ACS to bring monthly cooking and garden programming to each group of students at the Forte and Herring Hearts programs.
Claxton Arts After School
FEAST partners with Claxton Arts, an after school enrichment program at Claxton Elementary School, to provide a weekly cooking club to K-2 students. Claxton Elementary School of Arts and Humanities is an elementary school in the Asheville City Schools district. Claxton’s mission is to cultivate a learning community where student leaders thrive and feel successful through rigorous academics supported by social and emotional learning and the arts. The staff of Claxton Elementary celebrate learners by utilizing a variety of teaching methods that integrate the arts so that each student will develop his or her skills, knowledge, and character.
In Real Life @ Asheville Middle School
In Real Life After-school provides high quality, hands-on, equitable, and accessible after school experiences for all Asheville City Schools middle school students. IRL is committed to ensuring that all students have access to opportunities which allow them to explore their interests and ignite their creativity. FEAST partners with IRL to offer a FEAST Club that explores fresh food through cooking projects and connect with where food comes from through fun field trips, including visits to the school gardens at Lucy Herring and Hall Fletcher Elementary Schools.
YMCA Horizons - Enka and Eblen Intermediate Schools
The YMCA Horizon program closely partners with Buncombe County Schools to serve hundreds of middle school students and families. The after-school sites operate from Sept 29 to June 1, Monday through Thursday when school is in session. The 2025- 2026 programs will take place at Enka and Eblen Intermediate Schools. FEAST classes will focus on cooking healthy, simple snacks.
The Asheville City Schools 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) program brings learning to life through afterschool programs at Claxton Busy Bees, Hall Fletcher FORTE, and Herring Hearts. Funded through a federal grant and offered at no cost to families, the program blends academic support with hands-on enrichment. Students engage with literacy and math activities, spark curiosity with STEAM projects, get moving with daily physical activity, and grow their creativity through FEAST gardening and cooking, arts, and more. With snacks, transportation home, and a whole-child approach, 21st CCLC ensures every student has the opportunity to thrive. FEAST partners with ACS to bring monthly cooking and garden programming to each group of students at the Forte and Herring Hearts programs.
Claxton Arts After School
FEAST partners with Claxton Arts, an after school enrichment program at Claxton Elementary School, to provide a weekly cooking club to K-2 students. Claxton Elementary School of Arts and Humanities is an elementary school in the Asheville City Schools district. Claxton’s mission is to cultivate a learning community where student leaders thrive and feel successful through rigorous academics supported by social and emotional learning and the arts. The staff of Claxton Elementary celebrate learners by utilizing a variety of teaching methods that integrate the arts so that each student will develop his or her skills, knowledge, and character.
In Real Life @ Asheville Middle School
In Real Life After-school provides high quality, hands-on, equitable, and accessible after school experiences for all Asheville City Schools middle school students. IRL is committed to ensuring that all students have access to opportunities which allow them to explore their interests and ignite their creativity. FEAST partners with IRL to offer a FEAST Club that explores fresh food through cooking projects and connect with where food comes from through fun field trips, including visits to the school gardens at Lucy Herring and Hall Fletcher Elementary Schools.
YMCA Horizons - Enka and Eblen Intermediate Schools
The YMCA Horizon program closely partners with Buncombe County Schools to serve hundreds of middle school students and families. The after-school sites operate from Sept 29 to June 1, Monday through Thursday when school is in session. The 2025- 2026 programs will take place at Enka and Eblen Intermediate Schools. FEAST classes will focus on cooking healthy, simple snacks.
COMMUNITY COLLABORATORS
COMMUNITY COLLABORATORS
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Mother Earth Food
Mother Earth Food emerged in 2012 out of a desire to make it easier to eat local, organic food from our neighbors who are producing it. They are a family-owned, year-round delivery service of primarily local & organically grown produce and edibles sourced from area farms and food crafters. They make it simple and affordable to eat fresh and healthy local food by delivering bins to your front door. Mother Earth has been supporting our cooking and garden education classes by donating fresh produce on a weekly basis. |
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The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina
The Community Foundation of WNC has a long history of investing in our community and partnering with programs and organizations that share our focus to improve the health and well-being of the people we serve. In 2021, the Human Services grant was awarded to Bountiful Cities to support the Hot Springs Elementary Garden Expansion Project. |
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Asheville City Schools
Asheville City Schools works to create learning environments that ensure excellence with equity for all students. Our partnership with Asheville City Schools provides hands-on cooking and garden education in 4 of their schools with the hopes to continue expanding. |
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United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
The United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County stands committed to reducing the impact that poverty has on the lives of children, families, and communities in Asheville and Buncombe County. We are dedicated to co-creating a community where ALL our neighbors share equal access to the resources necessary to attain the education, financial stability, and health needed to thrive. |
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Manna Food Bank
MANNA FoodBank’s mission is to involve, educate, and unite people in the work of ending hunger in Western North Carolina. MANNA collects, stores, warehouses, and distributes food to dedicated, accredited nonprofit partners throughout 16 counties in Western North Carolina and the Qualla Boundary. Bountiful Cities partners with Manna to procure produce for FEAST classes and to distribute to the community. |
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Asheville City Schools Foundation
The Asheville City Schools Foundation (ACSF) is an independent not-for-profit organization dedicated to doing whatever it takes to provide transformational educational opportunities for all city schools students. Ensuring enriching opportunities and access to education for all students is central to the mission of the ACSF. Bountiful Cities operates a FEAST Club at the In Real Life after school enrichment program of ACSF at Asheville Middle School. |
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Sow True Seeds
Sow True Seeds is a small, dedicated employee-owned cooperative committed to making gardening approachable for everyone. Sow True Seeds provides high quality, open-pollinated seeds in support of sustainable food production and regenerative agriculture. Sow True Seeds strives to help customers cultivate a sense of empowerment and connection in an era of disengagement from nature, food, and community. Sow True Seeds sponsors the FEAST program by donating plants and seeds to our school gardens. |
