Mother Earth Food and Mercy Chefs Join Forces to Serve Communities in Need
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a partnership between Mother Earth Food and Mercy Chefs emerged, demonstrating the power of collaboration to uplift communities in need. Mercy Chefs, a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to providing professionally prepared, restaurant-quality meals during disasters and humanitarian crises, has established a new base of operations in Asheville through Mother Earth Food. When the two organizations connected to discuss long-term feeding efforts, a remarkable alignment of resources and missions became clear.
As cooler weather approached, Mercy Chefs needed a more permanent kitchen to transition from their open-air operations. Mother Earth Food’s director of programs, Kelli Kuhn, recognized that her commercial kitchen—along with the neighboring unit recently leased by Andrea Duvall, founder and CEO of Mother Earth Food—could meet these needs. Within hours of their final open-air service, Mercy Chefs moved into the space, transforming it into a hub capable of producing over 1,000 meals daily.
“The care and compassion that Mercy Chefs bring to their work is inspiring,” said Duvall. “From upgrading equipment and sourcing from local farms to hiring local chefs displaced by the hurricane, their efforts go beyond meal preparation—they’re investing in the long-term recovery of local communities.”
This partnership furthers Mother Earth Food’s mission to provide fresh, local food to low-income and underserved populations. Mercy Chefs has incorporated local sourcing into their meal production, purchasing directly from Mother Earth Food’s network of regional farmers and further strengthening the local food system.
“We’re not just collaborating on disaster recovery; we’re building a foundation for long-term community support,” said Kuhn. “This partnership demonstrates the extraordinary impact that can happen when organizations align their strengths for the greater good.”
Mercy Chefs’ presence is more than logistical—it’s transformational. Their mission emphasizes feeding the body and nourishing the soul, fostering connection, comfort and a sense of normalcy for those impacted by disaster. Together, Mother Earth Food and Mercy Chefs exemplify how innovative partnerships can amplify impact, bringing healing and sustenance to communities in their greatest need.
About Mercy Chefs
Mercy Chefs is a faith-based, nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian organization dedicated to providing professionally prepared, restaurant-quality meals to individuals affected by disasters and crises. Learn more at www.mercychefs.com.
About Mother Earth Food
Mother Earth Food connects communities with fresh, local food through partnerships with regional farmers and convenient home delivery services. Learn more at www.motherearthfood.com.