Bounty & Soul

Farmers Alliance: 2024 proved to be another pivotal year for this program as we continued to focus on strengthening the local food system by supporting local farmers, growers, community gardens and businesses. We invested in the local food economy by purchasing Grade A and B produce from small to mid-size farmers and growers, as well as providing on-farm service-learning experiences for adults and children. In 2024, we collaborated with 75 farm partners and distributed over 400,997 pounds of locally grown and sourced food through our community markets and home-delivery program. We also shared 14,400 plant starts with our participants and farm partners, as well as provided gardening education and resources.

Rooted in Health: This evidence-based, whole person health education program for adults and children includes weekly classes, cooking demos, recipes, nutrition information, resources, and nutrition counseling. We delivered 302 yoga, exercise, and health & wellness classes, as well as organized 60 after-school sports and education events. We conducted 110 live cooking demonstrations and shared over 30,000 samples at the community markets. Over 50,000 printed recipes and education materials were also shared at our markets, including 5,310 kids activities. In addition, 32 dietitian counseling sessions were administered. In the months that followed Hurricane Helene, we focused our efforts on delivering trauma, stress and emergency response support programming. Rooted in Health Kids - AKA Green Aprons: This innovative program for youth builds healthy nutrition habits, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and offers fun social connections with other children and families. In 2024 we distributed fresh produce and other healthy foods to 4,872 children and their families each month. We conducted 5,310 kids activities at our markets focused on healthy eating, cooking, mindfulness, physical activity, and creativity. Bounty & Soul Latino: This program includes Spanish language health & wellbeing education, community resources and culturally aligned recipes, cooking demos, and food markets. We also offer Spanish language nutrition education; thrice weekly Zumba classes; as well as educational opportunities and outreach events such as English as a Second Language instruction, vaccination clinics, emergency preparedness, tax preparation, and legal counsel. In 2024, We provided 341 health & wellness classes and cultural events and distributed culturally relevant foods to over 24,400 Latinx participants. The Latino Community Center in Swannanoa became a safe, centralized hub in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, connecting the Latino community with vital resources, food, and disaster response information and support. Healthy Opportunities Pilot: The Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) is a Medicaid pilot program developed by theNorth Caroline Dept of Health and Human Services(NCDHHS) with a goal to ultimately improve health and save millions on treatment of clinical illnesses or conditions by investing in evidence-based interventions before health becomes a problem. Working alongside Impact Health, the entity that manages this pilot, Bounty & Soul participates as a human services organization (HSO) in the food security domain. Bounty & Soul provides healthy food boxes to qualifying Medicaid members and receives Medicaid reimbursement from the private health plans for this service. In 2024, we delivered 8,237 healthy food boxes, serving 25,256 individuals in 313 households. Along with the food, we provided recipes and health tips for our clients.