New Henderson County Food Finder Launches to Connect Residents with Free Food Resources

The Henderson County Food Finder, a new online  tool connecting residents with free food programs throughout Henderson County, is now available at  HCfoodfinder.org. The interactive map currently includes over 40 local resources, including food pantries,  community meals, mobile markets, and self-serve pantries, including wrap-around services offered, all in  one easy-to-use resource.  

The Henderson County Food Finder was created over the course of a year by Community Foundation of  Henderson County in partnership with FastRoots, an organization that emerged after Hurricane Helene to  support data collection for food pantries in Buncombe County. The project was developed in response to  the need for a centralized, dynamic map that reflects Henderson County’s ever-changing food resource  landscape.  

According to the 2024 Community Health Assessment, nearly a quarter of households in Henderson  County reported experiencing food insecurity. Rising costs for housing, groceries, and other basic needs,  combined with the lingering impacts of Helene, continue to put pressure on household budgets. When  forced to choose, individuals will often decide to go without food to ensure housing, transportation, or  medical costs get paid first. While Henderson County is home to a strong network of food resources,  critical information about those resources can feel overwhelming to navigate.  

“Rising living costs are putting extraordinary pressure on families, making reliable access to food not just  a benefit but a public health imperative. The goal of the Henderson County Food Finder is two-fold—one, to eliminate the guesswork around food support services in our county, ensuring that neighbors in need  

can find up-to-date help precisely when they need it most. And two, to ease the research burden for  frontline workers regularly connecting individuals in need with the necessary resources.” said Kris Merritt,  Senior Program Officer at the Community Foundation of Henderson County, “When community members  are hungry, that’s not just a private struggle; it’s a call to action for all of us.” 

The Food Finder allows users to search and filter resources by operating hours, language, accessibility,  dietary needs, and other criteria. They can also identify resources along the bus lines or enter an address  to find food resources near a specific location. Each listing provides location and contact information,  eligibility requirements, and other services offered by the provider.  

The HC Food Finder is free to use, with no app or registration needed. The map is mobile-friendly, translation supported, and now available to the public at HCfoodfinder.org.  

Community organizations that provide food-related resources are encouraged to review the HC Food  Finder and share any updates or additions to their information. To submit an update or request to be added to the HC Food Finder, contact Kris Merritt, Senior Program Officer with Community Foundation of  Henderson County at kmerritt@cfhcforever.org.  

About Community Foundation of Henderson County 

Founded in 1982, Community Foundation of Henderson County’s mission is helping people who care  make lasting contributions to causes that matter. Learn more about Community Foundation of  Henderson County at www.cfhcforever.org, or by calling 828-697-6224. 

For media inquiries or collaboration opportunities, please contact Isabella Jontz at ijontz@cfhcforever.org