Appalachian Harvest Warehouse Fire - How You can Help

On Wednesday May 16, Appalachian Harvest lost their recently-upgraded, 12,000 sq ft produce packing and grading house to a fire. Everything was lost, including storage coolers, office and computers, and an inventory of 40,000 produce packing boxes.

Appalachian Harvest is an organic growers cooperative of some 60 farmers in southwest Virginia and eastern Tennessee, whom Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) has mentored through a transition from tobacco to organic vegetable production.

In reporting this setback, ASD Executive Director Anthony Flaccavento also affirms that Appalachian Harvest will prevail. "We are moving forward, in fact making arrangements to ship sugar snap peas this week and our first shipments of free range eggs next week. ASD staff, along with our supermarket customers and the nearly 60 farmers that are now part of the network are all working together to figure out a short, medium and long-term plan that will enable us to rebound, rebuild and continue to expand this extraordinary organic production and marketing system."

HOW YOU CAN HELP: The cooperative is gratefully accepting donations, both financial, and replacement equipment from computers, printers and office furniture to produce coolers, boxes and other equipment and supplies. Visit www.appsusdev.org for more information, or to make a donation.

Anthony adds:
"Thanks to all of you for your support over the years and your partnership in helping to build a more sustainable economy and world. We are all somewhat in a state of shock. However, I am confident that we will rally as an organization and as a community to rebuild this as soon as possible. Thank you."

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