A NOW Grant from WNC Bridge Foundation was just the “fertilizer” needed to help make Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market a flourishing success this past season. Grant funding provided programmatic support, technology, and other needs related to health and safety protocols due to COVID-19.

Some of the ways NOW Grant funds were used include:

• Compensated ten local farm vendors to provide fresh produce to Haywood Gleaners. They, in turn, delivered the items to Waynesville Towers Public Housing and three other group home sites throughout the season. With all the challenges the pandemic presented, Farmers were highly grateful for this extra compensation.

• Replaced their outdated market phone with the purchase of an iPhone 11, allowing Haywood’s Farmers Market to be able to continue providing Double Up Food Bucks and process SNAP/EBT.

• Updated market signage, purchase hygiene supplies, and webmaster time, all related to COVID-19 needs.

“We are very grateful for our NOW Grant, the ease of the process, and your staff’s professionalism and strong communication. Thank you!”
~Lauren Wood, Market Manager