This year’s event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on Sanford Mall at Appalachian State University’s Boone campus. Our theme this year will be “Connection Through Food.” Please spread the word with your classes, clubs, friends and community groups. ALL are welcome!
To minimize waste, attendees are asked to bring their own plates, utensils and water bottles. App State Sustainability and Energy Management invites attendees to visit their table at the FEaST for a free, reusable utensil and bandana bundle. Quantities are limited, so stop by early. Additionally, attendees can support the App State community by bringing non-perishable goods to this year’s FEaST for Sustainability and Energy Management’s Mountaineer Food Hub and Free Store and Campus Food Pantry Network.
AppalFRESH is seeking individuals and organizations to assist with the event. To volunteer, please complete this form.
AppalFRESH, the Appalachian Food Research for Equity Sustainability and Health Collaborative organizes the annual Community FEaST (Food Engagement and Story Telling). The event welcomes students, staff, faculty and community members to enjoy a simple, local meal while engaging in conversation about sustainable food issues and stories. The goals of this event are to:
1. Build community by encouraging conversation and storytelling about the importance of sustainable food
2. Minimize waste (near-zero waste event)
3. Maximize local food sourcing
4. Provide resources for food insecure members of our community
Learn more about Community FEaST via the links below:
- Year 8 – 2025
- 2024 – Event was cancelled due to Hurricane Helene
- Year 7 – 2023
- Year 6 – 2022
- Year 5 – 2021
- Year 4 – 2020 (Virtual)
- Year 3 – 2019
- Year 2 – 2018
- Year 1 – 2017
About AppalFRESH
The Appalachian Food Research for Equity, Sustainability and Health (AppalFRESH) Collaborative is a growing group of faculty, staff and graduate students at Appalachian State University with a common interest in research, education and engagement related to socially, economically and ecologically viable food systems. AppalFRESH strives to host and promote events that lead to a better understanding of and spur conversations around food issues, conduct and support research on salient food issues, and to be of service to faculty, staff, community members and students by sharing resources, and making and maintaining connections.
AppalFRESH Core Team: Carla Ramsdell, Caitlin Manely, Amy Galloway, Jennifer Maxwell, Lauren Gibbs, Jacqui Ignatova, Anne Ward, Alisha Farris, Leah Sherman, Lanie Karstrom, Jim Dees, Adam Hege, Christine Hendren, Tammy Kowalczyk, Grace Marasco-Plummer, Lisa Stinson, Ayron Walker, Daniel Lightfoot, Amanda Hood.
Sponsors: College of Arts and Sciences, College of Fine and Applied Arts, Beaver College of Health Sciences, Walker College of Business, RIEEE, College of Education, Sustainability & Energy Management, Office of Research & Innovation, School of Music, Sustainable Development.
