HCM, which operates one of the largest emergency food pantries in Western North Carolina, hopes to raise awareness for the importance of local, fresh, healthy food while raising money for its ongoing work of feeding members of the community and building economic stability. In 2022, HCM processed more than 1.18 million pounds of food and serves an average of 520 households each month.

“We know that to truly address food insecurity, we need to build a robust local food system,” said Executive Director Blake Hart. “This is just the beginning of our focus on growing awareness and trying to resource Haywood County’s small local farms while staying true to our mission of feeding the hungry.”

Registration will open at 8:30 a.m. and the race will begin in front of the HCM Community Thrift Store at 9 a.m. Cost is $30 for adults and $15 for youth 15 and under. Register at hcmnc.org/farm-fresh-5k .

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, both financial and gift donations to race winners. To learn more about sponsorship, contact Hart at 828.705.3842 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .