Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Tuesday, May 31, 2022
May Special Facial Offer Sensibilities Day Spa
May 31 all-day
Sensibilities Day Spa
YMCA Lunch and Learn Series: “A Physical Therapist’s Guide to Healthy Hiking”
May 31 @ 12:00 pm
Reuter Family YMCA

Reuter Family YMCA

Lunch and Learn Series

On Tuesday, May 31st, at 12 p.m., the Reuter Family YMCA will host “A Physical Therapist’s Guide to Healthy Hiking” with Movement for Life Physical Therapist Sean Simonds. The event will feature snacks and chats about healthy hiking at any and every age. Inquire at the Membership Desk or call at (828) 651-9622 to register.

Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Senior Zumba Gold Exercise
Jun 1 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Shiloh Community Center

Come one come all and work on your mobility while grooving and moving to the beat to burn off those calories. No pre- registration needed. This event is Free

Thursday, June 2, 2022
Lifestyle Choices that May Lower Your Risk for Dementia
Jun 2 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
online

Can your risk for Alzheimer’s and other dementias be lowered? What foods are best for our brains?  What effect does exercise have on brain function?  What about the importance of sleep and social connection?  Come join us for a presentation and discussion of why healthy lifestyle behaviors are critical for optimal brain function.

Presented by Dr. Stelley Gutman, MemoryCare Staff Physician

Saturday, June 4, 2022
Myofascial Release Monthly Course
Jun 4 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
YWCA
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Well Walkers Walk your way to wellness!
Jun 7 @ 9:00 am
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Join us in the temperature-controlled Arena to walk on most Tuesdays and Thursdays! Admission is free, masks are required and social distancing will be practiced.

Each lap around the concourse is 1/4 mile and strollers are welcome. Representatives from St. Francis Sports Medicine will be on hand for each event and other health professionals- like dietitians- are frequently scheduled to attend. Free parking is available in the VIP lot off of Church Street.

Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Preventive Health Lunch + Learn
Jun 8 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Shiloh Community Center

Preventive Health Education and HOT TOPICs Locally and Nationally discussed. All communities welcome! Hosted by Kathey Avery, Avery Health Education and Consulting LLC, (Avery HEC LLC)
Free.

Thursday, June 9, 2022
Well Walkers Walk your way to wellness!
Jun 9 @ 9:00 am
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Join us in the temperature-controlled Arena to walk on most Tuesdays and Thursdays! Admission is free, masks are required and social distancing will be practiced.

Each lap around the concourse is 1/4 mile and strollers are welcome. Representatives from St. Francis Sports Medicine will be on hand for each event and other health professionals- like dietitians- are frequently scheduled to attend. Free parking is available in the VIP lot off of Church Street.

Depression: From Surviving to Thriving
Jun 9 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Pack Memorial Library

Depressive symptoms often present themselves through feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and despair. This course examines different types, common causes, symptoms, and treatment methods for depression, focusing on moving from a place of simply surviving to one of thriving.

Registration Required. To register, go to: www.vayahealth.com…
Or call Pack Memorial Library at 828-250-4718.

Facilitated by the Vaya Health GERO team. CEU’s are provided through NC Department of Health and Human Services.

Life Writing Creative Writing Workshop: Snapshots of Childhood
Jun 9 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Fairview Library

A child’s mind is attuned to the most eccentric details, which reflect the early fears, hopes and fascinations that escape us in adulthood.  This workshop will take you back in time to explore your most vivid childhood memories.  We will write small stories to make narrative sense of these moments.

Join Fairview author and teacher Dr. Beth Keefauver online via Zoom in the first of a series of creative writing workshops.  The three classes may be taken individually or as a series.  Registration is required as class size is limited.  Email [email protected] or call 828-250-6484 to register.

Foot Care Clinic
Jun 9 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Shiloh Community Center

Foot Care Clinic for older adults in the community with educational materials about healthy aging. Services include: – Toenail trimming – Filing calluses – Checking for common medical problems that impact mobility – Referrals to community services – Baseline cognitive assessments.

No registration required.

For more information about this free event, contact Shira Wolf-Camplin, [email protected], 828-771-2219

Let’s Talk Caregiver Resources
Jun 9 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
online

Whether you’re a Caregiver College graduate or are new to caregiving, we invite you to join us as we review and discuss the many resources provided in MemoryCare’s Caregiver College sessions. We’ll highlight the usefulness of these resources and how they can be applied to unique caregiving challenges.

Presented by Lindsey Kremer, MSW & Carly Woods, BSW, MemoryCare Care Managers

To register for this free event, click here.

For more information, call 828-771-2219 or email [email protected]

Creative Writing Group online
Jun 9 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Leicester Library

Join us for creative writing online! We’ll meet on Zoom and do several rounds of writing prompts. The group is simple – we just write and read our writing to each other.  This is a supportive and fun environment that gets your creative juices flowing with low stakes and lots of fun.

Email [email protected] for the link to the online meeting.

The contents of this presentation are for informational purposes only.  Nothing herein constitutes medical, legal, or financial advice nor is it a substitute for professional advice on any issue.  You should not rely on the information received in this presentation for any important decisions, including medical, legal, or financial decisions.  Always consult with an appropriate professional for specific advice related to your situation.  The views and opinions expressed in this presentation do not necessarily reflect those of Buncombe County or its Public Library System.

Saturday, June 11, 2022
June Play Reading Series
Jun 11 @ 4:00 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

Hendersonville Theatre (HT) resumes its Staged Reading Series Saturday, June 11 at 4 p.m. Showcasing the work of area playwrights and performed by local actors, The Staged Reading Series is a FREE public reading of a new play in development. However, donations are welcome to support HT.
HT’s The Staged Reading Series offers exciting script-in-hand readings of new plays by emerging local playwrights. The readings are followed by a talk back with the playwright and actors to provide feedback to the playwright.
A short discussion will follow each show to provide feedback to the playwright about their script.
The reading will be held on the Hendersonville second stage at the rear of 229 S. Washington Street, Hendersonville, NC. There is no charge to attend or to participate, however donations are welcome and will be used to support HT.
Hendersonville Theatre is committed to exploring and developing new work for American theater, supporting local playwrights with their creative process from concept to production.
The play to be read on June 11 is Affinity by Charles LaBorde. Affinity portrays the early career of celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright, including the beginnings of his growth to fame, his first marriage, his trials as he became a famous designer of homes, and the dissolution of his marriage after beginning an affair with one of his clients. The play begins in 1937 with the construction of Taliesin West in Arizona and then retells the years from 1888 until the events of 1914 that led to the destruction of the first Taliesin in Wisconsin.
Charles LaBorde is an actor, director, designer, and playwright, and has worked as an arts educator and administrator. He holds a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in theatre and doctoral certification in educational administration from the University of North Carolina. LaBorde was the founder of the high school at Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, where he served as principal for 15 years until his retirement in 2008. He has received 11 regional and state directing awards, a national directing award from the National Youth Theatre, and numerous awards for scenic, costume, lighting, and sound design from the North Carolina Theatre Conference. As a playwright he has received two national and four regional playwriting awards and has had his play, Memorial, performed throughout the United States and Europe. LaBorde is a member of The Dramatists Guild, Inc.—the professional theatre association of playwrights, composers, and lyricists.

Monday, June 13, 2022
Coffee + Conversation YMCA: 7 Daily Habits for Optimal Health-Adapted’
Jun 13 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Reuter Family YMCA
YMCA
Laura Richardson, Certified Health Coach and Group Fitness Instructor, will host ‘7 Daily Habits for Optimal Health-Adapted’ from the Whole Life Challenge, at the Reuter Family YMCA, MondayJune 13 from 10-11 a.m. These daily habits are scientifically proven to improve your health one day at a time. Learn about how you can adopt these healthy habits for yourself.

 

 

 

Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Well Walkers Walk your way to wellness!
Jun 14 @ 9:00 am
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Join us in the temperature-controlled Arena to walk on most Tuesdays and Thursdays! Admission is free, masks are required and social distancing will be practiced.

Each lap around the concourse is 1/4 mile and strollers are welcome. Representatives from St. Francis Sports Medicine will be on hand for each event and other health professionals- like dietitians- are frequently scheduled to attend. Free parking is available in the VIP lot off of Church Street.

Lunch + Learn- Dementia and Psychosis What You Need to Know presented by Vaya Health
Jun 14 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Enka-Candler Library

Dementia and Psychosis: What You Need to Know.
his class uses case review and activities to identify frequent challenging behaviors associated with dementia and psychosis. Participants review factors that may trigger behaviors and discuss prevention and intervention strategies.

Class is free and registration is required.
To Register (required): Go to VayaHealth.com/Calendar or Call Enka-Candler Public Library at 828- 250-4758

Hosted by the Enka-Candler Public Library in partnership with the Vaya Health Geriatric & Adult Mental Health Specialty Team. All Vaya Health trainings are free and accredited through the NC Division of Health Service Regulation which awards one contact hour for each hour of training.

Thursday, June 16, 2022
Well Walkers Walk your way to wellness!
Jun 16 @ 9:00 am
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Join us in the temperature-controlled Arena to walk on most Tuesdays and Thursdays! Admission is free, masks are required and social distancing will be practiced.

Each lap around the concourse is 1/4 mile and strollers are welcome. Representatives from St. Francis Sports Medicine will be on hand for each event and other health professionals- like dietitians- are frequently scheduled to attend. Free parking is available in the VIP lot off of Church Street.

virtual Assistive Technology: Easing your Caregiver Journey
Jun 16 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
online

A discussion on how and which technology can help make your life as a caregiver easier.
presented by Emily Danciu Grosso, SimplyHome

To register for this free event, click here.

For more information, call 828-771-2219 or email [email protected]

Sunday, June 19, 2022
LEARN ABOUT HEART OF HORSE SENSE
Jun 19 @ 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Zoom

We educate, train & fund Trauma-Informed Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning for survivors of trauma.

Monday, June 20, 2022
LEARN ABOUT HEART OF HORSE SENSE
Jun 20 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am
zoom

We educate, train & fund Trauma-Informed Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning for survivors of trauma.

Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Well Walkers Walk your way to wellness!
Jun 21 @ 9:00 am
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Join us in the temperature-controlled Arena to walk on most Tuesdays and Thursdays! Admission is free, masks are required and social distancing will be practiced.

Each lap around the concourse is 1/4 mile and strollers are welcome. Representatives from St. Francis Sports Medicine will be on hand for each event and other health professionals- like dietitians- are frequently scheduled to attend. Free parking is available in the VIP lot off of Church Street.

Wednesday, June 22, 2022
ASAP: Farm Fresh Produce Prescription
Jun 22 all-day
online w/ ASAP

2022)—After piloting the Farm Fresh Produce Prescription in 2021, ASAP has
expanded the program this season to partner with multiple healthcare access points and local food outlets
in Buncombe and Henderson counties. The program allows healthcare providers to “prescribe” patients
fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms to help treat or prevent diet-related illness. Patients can
redeem prescriptions, totaling $20 to $60 per week, depending on household size, at nine farmers markets
or through The AVL Box, a local food delivery service. The Farm Fresh Produce Prescription is part of
ASAP’s Farm Fresh for Health initiative, which addresses the real and perceived barriers that influence
what we eat and determine health outcomes.
ASAP is currently working with MAHEC (Mountain Area Health Education Center) and Sona Pharmacy to
offer produce prescriptions. In addition, the program is available as a service of the Healthy Opportunities
Pilot with select Medicaid insurance providers. Eligible patients are those who suffer from or are at risk of
developing a diet-related condition and are either eligible for a federal supplemental nutrition program such
as SNAP or enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. Find out more about eligibility and the referral process at
asapconnections.org/prescription.

How It Works

Screening and Referral Process

Participating healthcare providers screen patients for program eligibility. Eligible patients are those who suffer from or are at risk of developing a diet-related condition AND meet one of the following criteria: 1) eligible for a federal supplemental nutrition program such as SNAP or free and reduced lunch, or 2) enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. Healthcare providers submit a referral to ASAP via the NCCARE360 UniteUs app. ASAP will follow up directly with a unique Prescription Identification Number.

ASAP is currently partnering with MAHEC (Mountain Area Health Education Center) and Sona Pharmacy to offer produce prescriptions. If you are a patient at MAHEC, talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you are eligible. If you are a patient enrolled in Sona’s Medication Support Program, Sona Access, email [email protected] to find out if you are eligible.

ASAP’s Farm Fresh Produce Prescription is also available as a service of Healthy Opportunities Pilot with select Medicaid insurance providers, listed below. If you think you may be eligible for this program, call the Member Services line listed on your Medicaid card to begin the eligibility assessment and be referred to this program.

  • WellCare of North Carolina – 866-799-5318
  • AmeriHealth Caritas – 855-375-8811
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield (Healthy Blue) – 844-594-5070
  • UnitedHealthcare – 800-349-1855
Sona Pharmacy

Filling Your Prescription

Farm Fresh Produce Prescriptions can be redeemed weekly. The value of the prescription depends on household size.

  • 1-2 members = $20/week
  • 3-4 members = $40/week
  • 5+ members = $60/week

Farmers Markets

Redeem your prescription at one of the participating farmers markets listed below. Present your Prescription Identification Number to the staff person at the market information booth in exchange for Farm Fresh Bucks. These are wooden tokens that you can use to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from any produce vendor at the market. Farm Fresh Bucks do not expire and may be used on other visits or at other markets.

Farm Fresh Bucks may also be used at the following markets, though you cannot currently redeem your prescription here.

All participating markets can also accept Caja Solidaria’s Produce Prescription Program. In addition, all markets accept SNAP/EBT and offer Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables.

Thursday, June 23, 2022
ASAP: Farm Fresh Produce Prescription
Jun 23 all-day
online w/ ASAP

2022)—After piloting the Farm Fresh Produce Prescription in 2021, ASAP has
expanded the program this season to partner with multiple healthcare access points and local food outlets
in Buncombe and Henderson counties. The program allows healthcare providers to “prescribe” patients
fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms to help treat or prevent diet-related illness. Patients can
redeem prescriptions, totaling $20 to $60 per week, depending on household size, at nine farmers markets
or through The AVL Box, a local food delivery service. The Farm Fresh Produce Prescription is part of
ASAP’s Farm Fresh for Health initiative, which addresses the real and perceived barriers that influence
what we eat and determine health outcomes.
ASAP is currently working with MAHEC (Mountain Area Health Education Center) and Sona Pharmacy to
offer produce prescriptions. In addition, the program is available as a service of the Healthy Opportunities
Pilot with select Medicaid insurance providers. Eligible patients are those who suffer from or are at risk of
developing a diet-related condition and are either eligible for a federal supplemental nutrition program such
as SNAP or enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. Find out more about eligibility and the referral process at
asapconnections.org/prescription.

How It Works

Screening and Referral Process

Participating healthcare providers screen patients for program eligibility. Eligible patients are those who suffer from or are at risk of developing a diet-related condition AND meet one of the following criteria: 1) eligible for a federal supplemental nutrition program such as SNAP or free and reduced lunch, or 2) enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. Healthcare providers submit a referral to ASAP via the NCCARE360 UniteUs app. ASAP will follow up directly with a unique Prescription Identification Number.

ASAP is currently partnering with MAHEC (Mountain Area Health Education Center) and Sona Pharmacy to offer produce prescriptions. If you are a patient at MAHEC, talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you are eligible. If you are a patient enrolled in Sona’s Medication Support Program, Sona Access, email [email protected] to find out if you are eligible.

ASAP’s Farm Fresh Produce Prescription is also available as a service of Healthy Opportunities Pilot with select Medicaid insurance providers, listed below. If you think you may be eligible for this program, call the Member Services line listed on your Medicaid card to begin the eligibility assessment and be referred to this program.

  • WellCare of North Carolina – 866-799-5318
  • AmeriHealth Caritas – 855-375-8811
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield (Healthy Blue) – 844-594-5070
  • UnitedHealthcare – 800-349-1855
Sona Pharmacy

Filling Your Prescription

Farm Fresh Produce Prescriptions can be redeemed weekly. The value of the prescription depends on household size.

  • 1-2 members = $20/week
  • 3-4 members = $40/week
  • 5+ members = $60/week

Farmers Markets

Redeem your prescription at one of the participating farmers markets listed below. Present your Prescription Identification Number to the staff person at the market information booth in exchange for Farm Fresh Bucks. These are wooden tokens that you can use to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from any produce vendor at the market. Farm Fresh Bucks do not expire and may be used on other visits or at other markets.

Farm Fresh Bucks may also be used at the following markets, though you cannot currently redeem your prescription here.

All participating markets can also accept Caja Solidaria’s Produce Prescription Program. In addition, all markets accept SNAP/EBT and offer Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables.

The Romance of Plants: A Heart-Centered Approach to Making Herbal Medicines
Jun 23 @ 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Taught by herbalist Michelle Bouton, this herbal intensive onsite at the Arboretum encourages us to remember the excitement and mystery of getting to know a plant. Move beyond the field guide for a heart-centered approach to plants, engendering reciprocal relationship as practiced by earth medicine-based cultures. Starting with gratitude and balance results in powerful medicine! We will explore ethical considerations of planting and harvesting and how we can support resilience of at-risk species in our area before diving into into hands-on medicine-making together.

virtual Six Steps to Managing Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
Jun 23 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
online

Free virtual presentation, open to the public. Based on his award-winning Book, “Six Steps to Managing Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia,” join us for a presentation with Dr. Andrew Budson to learn how you can manage all the problems that come with dementia—including those with memory, language, vision, depression, behavior, agitation, aggression, sleep, falls, incontinence, and more—and still take care of themselves, in six simple steps Dr. Andrew Budson was educated at Haverford College and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Budson is Chief of Cognitive & Behavioral Neurology at the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Director of Education at the Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Professor of Neurology at Boston University School of Medicine, and Lecturer in Neurology at Harvard Medical School.

To register for this free event, click here.

For more information, contact Liz Grieco, [email protected], 828-712-6094

Carl Sandburg Monthly Writing Workshops
Jun 23 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
online w/ The Carl Sandburg House

Join writers and poets from across the country each month for a virtual writing workshop. A link will be added to their name when more details and sign-up information becomes available. These workshops are geared towards amateur writers, ages 16 and older recommended. Follow us on Facebook for notifications too.

Poetry of the Spirit with Luke Hankins

This class will focus on contemporary poetry that engages the “spirit” in some way, from a range of perspectives, both religious and non-religious. Some of the aspects of spiritual poetry that will come under discussion are the experience of transcendence, the longing for connection to something larger than ourselves, and the search for overarching meaning that might guide us throughout our lives. In addition to reading and discussing sample poems, we will do an in-class writing exercise aimed at writing from or to whatever “spirit” means to each participant.

Luke Hankins is the author of two poetry collections, Radiant Obstacles and Weak Devotions, as well as a collection of essays, The Work of Creation. A volume of his translations from the French of Stella Vinitchi Radulescu, A Cry in the Snow & Other Poems, was released by Seagull Books in 2019. Testament, a chapbook of poems, is forthcoming from Texas Review Press. His poems, essays, and translations have appeared in a wide variety of periodicals, including 32 Poems, American Literary Review, Image, New England Review, Poetry International, Verse, World Literature Today, and The Writer’s Chronicle. Hankins serves as an Associate Editor at Asheville Poetry Review and he is the founder and editor of Orison Books, a non-profit literary press focused on the life of the spirit from a broad and inclusive range of perspectives.

This workshop is open to writers of all skill levels and is a fun way to find inspiration from a new prompt or revise current work. It is hosted by the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara and will use Zoom for the virtual connection. The link will be sent by the morning of the presentation. Check your junk folder if you have not received it by then.

Friday, June 24, 2022
ASAP: Farm Fresh Produce Prescription
Jun 24 all-day
online w/ ASAP

2022)—After piloting the Farm Fresh Produce Prescription in 2021, ASAP has
expanded the program this season to partner with multiple healthcare access points and local food outlets
in Buncombe and Henderson counties. The program allows healthcare providers to “prescribe” patients
fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms to help treat or prevent diet-related illness. Patients can
redeem prescriptions, totaling $20 to $60 per week, depending on household size, at nine farmers markets
or through The AVL Box, a local food delivery service. The Farm Fresh Produce Prescription is part of
ASAP’s Farm Fresh for Health initiative, which addresses the real and perceived barriers that influence
what we eat and determine health outcomes.
ASAP is currently working with MAHEC (Mountain Area Health Education Center) and Sona Pharmacy to
offer produce prescriptions. In addition, the program is available as a service of the Healthy Opportunities
Pilot with select Medicaid insurance providers. Eligible patients are those who suffer from or are at risk of
developing a diet-related condition and are either eligible for a federal supplemental nutrition program such
as SNAP or enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. Find out more about eligibility and the referral process at
asapconnections.org/prescription.

How It Works

Screening and Referral Process

Participating healthcare providers screen patients for program eligibility. Eligible patients are those who suffer from or are at risk of developing a diet-related condition AND meet one of the following criteria: 1) eligible for a federal supplemental nutrition program such as SNAP or free and reduced lunch, or 2) enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. Healthcare providers submit a referral to ASAP via the NCCARE360 UniteUs app. ASAP will follow up directly with a unique Prescription Identification Number.

ASAP is currently partnering with MAHEC (Mountain Area Health Education Center) and Sona Pharmacy to offer produce prescriptions. If you are a patient at MAHEC, talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you are eligible. If you are a patient enrolled in Sona’s Medication Support Program, Sona Access, email [email protected] to find out if you are eligible.

ASAP’s Farm Fresh Produce Prescription is also available as a service of Healthy Opportunities Pilot with select Medicaid insurance providers, listed below. If you think you may be eligible for this program, call the Member Services line listed on your Medicaid card to begin the eligibility assessment and be referred to this program.

  • WellCare of North Carolina – 866-799-5318
  • AmeriHealth Caritas – 855-375-8811
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield (Healthy Blue) – 844-594-5070
  • UnitedHealthcare – 800-349-1855
Sona Pharmacy

Filling Your Prescription

Farm Fresh Produce Prescriptions can be redeemed weekly. The value of the prescription depends on household size.

  • 1-2 members = $20/week
  • 3-4 members = $40/week
  • 5+ members = $60/week

Farmers Markets

Redeem your prescription at one of the participating farmers markets listed below. Present your Prescription Identification Number to the staff person at the market information booth in exchange for Farm Fresh Bucks. These are wooden tokens that you can use to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from any produce vendor at the market. Farm Fresh Bucks do not expire and may be used on other visits or at other markets.

Farm Fresh Bucks may also be used at the following markets, though you cannot currently redeem your prescription here.

All participating markets can also accept Caja Solidaria’s Produce Prescription Program. In addition, all markets accept SNAP/EBT and offer Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables.

Saturday, June 25, 2022
ASAP: Farm Fresh Produce Prescription
Jun 25 all-day
online w/ ASAP

2022)—After piloting the Farm Fresh Produce Prescription in 2021, ASAP has
expanded the program this season to partner with multiple healthcare access points and local food outlets
in Buncombe and Henderson counties. The program allows healthcare providers to “prescribe” patients
fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms to help treat or prevent diet-related illness. Patients can
redeem prescriptions, totaling $20 to $60 per week, depending on household size, at nine farmers markets
or through The AVL Box, a local food delivery service. The Farm Fresh Produce Prescription is part of
ASAP’s Farm Fresh for Health initiative, which addresses the real and perceived barriers that influence
what we eat and determine health outcomes.
ASAP is currently working with MAHEC (Mountain Area Health Education Center) and Sona Pharmacy to
offer produce prescriptions. In addition, the program is available as a service of the Healthy Opportunities
Pilot with select Medicaid insurance providers. Eligible patients are those who suffer from or are at risk of
developing a diet-related condition and are either eligible for a federal supplemental nutrition program such
as SNAP or enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. Find out more about eligibility and the referral process at
asapconnections.org/prescription.

How It Works

Screening and Referral Process

Participating healthcare providers screen patients for program eligibility. Eligible patients are those who suffer from or are at risk of developing a diet-related condition AND meet one of the following criteria: 1) eligible for a federal supplemental nutrition program such as SNAP or free and reduced lunch, or 2) enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. Healthcare providers submit a referral to ASAP via the NCCARE360 UniteUs app. ASAP will follow up directly with a unique Prescription Identification Number.

ASAP is currently partnering with MAHEC (Mountain Area Health Education Center) and Sona Pharmacy to offer produce prescriptions. If you are a patient at MAHEC, talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you are eligible. If you are a patient enrolled in Sona’s Medication Support Program, Sona Access, email [email protected] to find out if you are eligible.

ASAP’s Farm Fresh Produce Prescription is also available as a service of Healthy Opportunities Pilot with select Medicaid insurance providers, listed below. If you think you may be eligible for this program, call the Member Services line listed on your Medicaid card to begin the eligibility assessment and be referred to this program.

  • WellCare of North Carolina – 866-799-5318
  • AmeriHealth Caritas – 855-375-8811
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield (Healthy Blue) – 844-594-5070
  • UnitedHealthcare – 800-349-1855
Sona Pharmacy

Filling Your Prescription

Farm Fresh Produce Prescriptions can be redeemed weekly. The value of the prescription depends on household size.

  • 1-2 members = $20/week
  • 3-4 members = $40/week
  • 5+ members = $60/week

Farmers Markets

Redeem your prescription at one of the participating farmers markets listed below. Present your Prescription Identification Number to the staff person at the market information booth in exchange for Farm Fresh Bucks. These are wooden tokens that you can use to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from any produce vendor at the market. Farm Fresh Bucks do not expire and may be used on other visits or at other markets.

Farm Fresh Bucks may also be used at the following markets, though you cannot currently redeem your prescription here.

All participating markets can also accept Caja Solidaria’s Produce Prescription Program. In addition, all markets accept SNAP/EBT and offer Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables.

Pardee Hospital Foundation Gala
Jun 25 @ 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Blue Ridge Community College

Pardee Hospital Foundation Gala is just a few days away, and more than 300 community leaders will be in attendance. New auction items are being added leading up to the event. Don’t miss out on your chance to bid on this year’s online auction before the event day.
Keep in mind, you can still bid, even if you’re not planning on attending the gala!