Marion Tailgate Market

Our mission is to enhance and promote community health by advocating for an equitable and economically viable local food system to strengthen community by working to: Ensure local food is affordable and accessible to low income community members. Increase the supply and consumer demand of local food in Mc Dowell County. Engage youth in the production, marketing & selling of local foods. Engage local government, institutional, and grassroots leaders to support LFAC and growth of Mc Dowell County's local food economy. A sustainable local food system enhancing livelihoods for farmers, ensuring food security, and improving overall health and wellness for all. 2015:Mc Dowell Extension Director hosts asset mapping, leading to the establishment of the Mc Dowell Local Food Advisory Council. Mc Dowell Extension Director hosts asset mapping, leading to the establishment of the Mc Dowell Local Food Advisory Council. 2016 - 2017:Mc Dowell LFAC directs a feasibility study to explore the possibility of establishing a Food Hub to serve farmers, pantries, and other organizations. Monthly meetings are held at the Extension and St. John's Episcopal Church to facilitate collaboration among agencies, community partners, and stakeholders. Mc Dowell LFAC directs a feasibility study to explore the possibility of establishing a Food Hub to serve farmers, pantries, and other organizations. Monthly meetings are held at the Extension and St. John's Episcopal Church to facilitate collaboration among agencies, community partners, and stakeholders. 2018:Fundraising efforts begin. Community outreach is intensified to engage with community members and understand their needs. More council meetings are held to continue planning and coordination. Fundraising efforts begin. Community outreach is intensified to engage with community members and understand their needs. More council meetings are held to continue planning and coordination. 2019:Initial space at Barnes Rd is set up for food storage, supporting various organizations including EMS Care Paramedic program, Freedom Life, and pantries. Initial space at Barnes Rd is set up for food storage, supporting various organizations including EMS Care Paramedic program, Freedom Life, and pantries. 2020 - 2021:Major expansion of community food support occurs through Covid funding and other grants, likely in response to increased food insecurity during the pandemic. Major expansion of community food support occurs through Covid funding and other grants, likely in response to increased food insecurity during the pandemic. 2022:Farms Share program begins, with over $115,000 paid out to farmers. USDA funding supports additional produce initiatives. Healthy Opportunities program begins. Farms Share program begins, with over $115,000 paid out to farmers. USDA funding supports additional produce initiatives. Healthy Opportunities program begins. Nov 2022:Food Hub construction is completed, marking a significant infrastructure milestone. Food Hub construction is completed, marking a significant infrastructure milestone. 2023:Management of the Tailgate Market begins. Expected payout of over $200,000+ to farmers through market activities. USDA funding continues to support initiatives. Healthy Opportunities program expands. Staff and board expansion reflects organizational growth and increased capacity. Management of the Tailgate Market begins. Expected payout of over $200,000+ to farmers through market activities. USDA funding continues to support initiatives. Healthy Opportunities program expands. Staff and board expansion reflects organizational growth and increased capacity. 2024:A new building is purchased to build a new facility, indicating continued expansion to accommodate rapid growth and sustain future initiatives. Our team facilitated feeding over 1,000 service members in the wake of Hurricane Helene while simultaneously backpacking food and water to the hardest hit areas and supplying/facilitating distribu