Not only were we excited to be featured in the Macon County News, we were even more encouraged for the reason why. Macon County News’ Travis Tallent reported, “When there weren’t enough members to take action on anything at last week’s county planning board meeting, the members who were present discussed a variety of topics for a short time before adjourning; one of them being the possibility of a new farmer’s market at the Cowee Heritage Center. An organization called MountainWise was commended for their efforts in trying to make that happen.”
Although blanketed in winter weather, MountainWise continues to stay busy working to make the healthy choice the easy choice. We are working tirelessly to increase access to farmers markets and roadside stands in Macon County through supplies, assessment work, media promotions, convening partners and various training opportunities. MountainWise is also working on a new healthy corner store initiative called MountainMarkets, with Caney Fork General (Jackson) and Bethel Grocery (Haywood) already on board!
In addition to work with local farmer’s markets, MountainWise is also working in partnership with Western Carolina University’s Nutrition Department to gather information for the Rural Eating Assessment Project (REAP). This information will be used to learn about the barriers that people encounter that may make them less likely to eat fruits and vegetables in Macon County.
Likewise, MountainWise has partnered with the Southwestern North Carolina Planning and Economic Development Commission on a Regional Health Impact Assessment called MountainElements. This project will work to incorporate health components and considerations into new and existing county comprehensive plans, like the one in Macon County, as well as develop tools and best practices for integrating public health strategies in the future.
Through this work and other ongoing projects, MountainWise continues to make an impact on the lives of those who live in Macon County. By honoring our mountain traditions and embracing the natural resources in our area, together, we can make the healthy choice the easy choice.