Free steak and music coming to Swannanoa

Food Connection offers drive-through concert and food for area residents

The Valley Echo
May 8, 2020

Workers in the food service industry and area residents in need will be treated to a free drive-through concert and steak dinners in Swannanoa, beginning at 3 p.m., Saturday, May 9.

Local nonprofit organization Food Connection, which rescues fresh meals from area restaurants and catering services to redistribute them to community members struggling with hunger, will host the event in the parking lot of Symmetry Financial Group at 204 Whitson Avenue.

“A complimentary steak and potato or veggie ‘to-go’ dinner will be available for curbside pick-up for service industry workers and any one else in need,” according to a release from Food Connection. “These meals are prepared by Chef Eric Morris and team from Wicked Weed Brewing's Cultura, who collectively have provided 5,000 meals just this week for Food Connection and the YMCA to distribute to over 40 different nonprofit organizations and neighborhoods in need.”

The Swannanoa event will feature a performance by Laurie Fisher, an old soul fiddler, bassist, rhythm guitarist, dance caller and vocalist.

Those attending the performance are asked to remain in their cars if driving to the location, practice social distancing of at least six feet if walking to the event and to wear a mask, if they have one.

The concert is one of two events Food Connection is hosting in Buncombe County on Saturday. It will follow a similar gathering, scheduled for 12 p.m. at the downtown Asheville YMCA of Western North Carolina location.

Food Connection, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is based in Asheville and its mission is to pick up and deliver rescued food to Buncombe and Madison County residents who otherwise would not have access to healthy fresh food.

Since launching five years ago they have rescued over 270,000 fresh meals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Food Connection’s model has pivoted to include providing raw ingredients for local chefs to prepare meals for those in need.

The organization established Food Connection Black Mountain in 2018, which offers the same service for residents in the eastern region of the county.

For more information, to donate or to volunteer, contact founder and executive director Flori Pate at Flori@Food-Connection.org.