Harvest Tables

In 2022, we started our Harvest Table fresh food distribution program as a way to increase food security and promote healthy lifestyles.

A kid sitting at a harvest table market stand with fresh vegetables including peppers, tomatoes, and melons on display.

Everyone is welcome at our no-cost walk-up fresh food distributions.

The Harvest Table season runs from June to September, on the second and fourth Friday of the month.

There are no forms to fill out or qualifications to meet.

Please bring your own bags.

If you would like fresh food and feel that others may be in greater need, consider visiting during the second half of the event and making a donation to help sustain the program for others. Every contribution, big and small, helps us continue to grow and share food with our community.

A group of people at an outdoor farmers market stand with fresh vegetables including zucchini, broccoli, and yellow squash, engaging in conversation and shopping on a sunny day.

Growing Together

We launched our Harvest Table program in 2022 to increase food security and promote healthy lifestyles across Mitchell County. Since then, the program has grown every year.

  • 2024: distributed more than 5,700 pounds of local produce at 8 events, averaging 53 households per event

  • 2025: distributed more than 12,400 pounds of local produce at 15 events, and served an average of 75 households per event

Our impact continues to grow because of the dedication of volunteers, donors, and local farmers who help feed our community.

How You Can Help

You can help keep the Harvest Table thriving by:

  • Volunteering at harvests or food distribution events.

  • Donating to help us purchase produce from local farms and keep our tables full.

  • Sharing the surplus, donate your extra produce to our events.

Local Farms We Support

We purchase additional fruits and vegetables from local and regional farms to supplement what we grow in our gardens. This allows us to provide a greater variety and quantity of produce at each Harvest Table—it also supports small farms and strengthens our local food economy.

We’re grateful to the farms and growers who have supplied food for our tables, including:

  • Barnwell Orchards

  • Brookhaven Farms

  • Bryant Farm

  • Charlene's Garden

  • Clem's Organic Gardens

  • Cottle Organics

  • Fishel Organics

  • M+M Plant Farm

  • Neal Johnson Organics

  • Olivette Farm

  • Rhodesdale Farm

  • Rocky Hollow Farm

  • Stone Creek Farm

  • Table Rock Farm

  • TendWell Farm

  • The Culinary Gardener

  • Tomas Farm

  • True Family Farm

  • Uncle Henry's Organics

  • Watkins Farm

  • Watsonia Farms

  • Wild Hope Farm

“This fresh food distribution has helped my family so very much. Most distribution sites don’t have fresh vegetables, fruits, and eggs. In our situation, financially, these are luxury items. Without this program in our area, we would not have access to healthy, nutritious food. I am so very thankful!”

— HARVEST TABLE PARTICIPANT

FAQs - Food Distribution

  • All of the food grown at Mitchell Giving Gardens is shared at no cost with the community. Our goal is simple: to ensure that everyone in Mitchell County has access to fresh, healthy produce—no questions asked, no paperwork required.

    The food we grow is distributed through our Harvest Table events, where community members can choose from a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables. We also deliver fresh produce to The Hive, which supports local youth and families, and to Shepherd’s Staff, a community food pantry serving individuals and households in need.

  • Most of the produce is grown in our collaborative production garden in Spruce Pine with the help of volunteers and staff. In addition, we purchase fresh produce from local farms through the support of grant funding and donors who contribute $2,500 or more.

    This approach not only expands the amount and variety of food we can share but also strengthens the local food economy by supporting small farmers in Mitchell and surrounding counties.

  • Harvest Tables take place regularly throughout the growing season (May–October) in Spruce Pine and other nearby communities. Dates, times, and locations are announced on our social media pages and through our newsletter.

  • Everyone is welcome! Our Harvest Tables are open to all residents—no sign-up or proof of income required. We believe that food should bring people together, and we’re proud to create a space where neighbors can connect, share stories, and leave with fresh, nourishing food.

    If you don’t personally need free produce but still want to take part, we’d love to have you join us. You’re welcome to come 30–40 minutes after the Harvest Table begins and make a donation in support of our food access programs. Your contribution helps ensure that everyone in our community can continue to enjoy fresh, local food year-round.

  • Volunteers are always needed to help harvest, set up tables, and greet community members. You can also make a donation to help us continue purchasing from local farms and providing free produce to those who need it most. Visit our Donate page to learn more.