French Broad Food Co+Op

(828)255-7650 | Directions
Open Daily 8AM – 8PM

Terra Marshall

Co-President

Profession/Passion: Owner/Beauty Operator of Beauty Parade Salon in West Asheville NC.

Passion: Cooking and baking from scratch and supporting locally owned business as much as possible.

Length of time in WNC: 25 years (yowza).

Other towns you’ve lived in: Chico Ca., Petersburg Alaska, Breckenridge CO., Wilmington NC, Mar Hill NC.

Length of time on the BOD: 1.5 years
Hobbies: Baking from scratch, art, raising chickens.

Favorite things to do in WNC: Spend time with my family, hike, ride my bike, walk.

Favorite item at the co-op: Ellies cookies!

Dog or cat person (or other favorite pet): Cat, but I do have a super sweet doggy named Tilly, so both.

Laura Ann Edmonds

Secretary

Profession/Passion: Youth Services Public Librarian, Fire performer.

Lived in WNC since: Summer 1997.

Other towns you’ve lived in: Charleston, SC, Spartanburg, SC, and Jackson, WY.

On BOD since: early 2023.

Hobbies: gardening, storytelling, dancing, getting into Nature.

Favorite things to do in WNC: hiking, swimming, gathering with friends, live music.

Favorite item at the co-op: everything in the produce department!

 Jerome Smith

Profession/Passion: I have been in the Natural Food industry for several years and currently own an online herb business. Passion – Critical Thinking. Cultivating and training my mind to go inward in order to navigate the ever-changing external input we are subjected to in the modern world of information and technology.
 
Lived in WNC since: 2006.
 
Other places lived: California, Alaska, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Wisconsin, and India.
 
On the Board since: 2023.
 
Favorite things to do in WNC: Enjoy nature.
 
Favorite item at the Co-op: No need to choose a favorite. I enjoy the overall experience.

Marielle Angell

Profession/Passion: Massage and Bodywork; Earthwork is my passion.

Lived in WNC: From WNC; I’ve lived in the Asheville area since 2001.

On BOD Since: 2024.

Hobbies: Reading, Homesteading, Podcasts on otherworldly things, Occupying my kids schedules with family time.

Favorite things to do in WNC: Walking in wonderment, hiking, camping, anything with water, music with my partner, friendship & fellowship.

Favorite item at the co-op: bulk herbs and supplements sections. 

 Andrea Burkins

Co-President

Profession/Passion: Mama, Farmer, Notary, Celebrant, Death Doula.

Length of time in WNC: Multi-Gen & Asheville-Born.

Other towns you’ve lived in: Never left Buncombe Co.

Length of time on the BOD: 1.5 years.

Hobbies: Growing plants, flowers and babies, making art, music, working out and learning.

Favorite things to do in WNC: I love hiking, and miss hearing and dancing to local music.

Favorite item at the co-op: Vitamineral Green and everything in BULK.

Dog or cat person (or other favorite pet): I love all animals..

Clare Schwartz

Tresurer

Profession/Passion: I manage a Garden Center & Homesteading Shop. I also own & produce Wounded Warrior Ointment. My passion is growing flowers & I hope to own a flower farm someday.
 
Lived in WNC since: 2000.
 
Other towns you’ve lived in: born & raised in Alexandria VA, went to college in Wilmington NC.
 
On BOD Since: 2023.
 
Hobbies: hanging out at my house with my 2 dogs, boating on the lake, visiting the beach.
 
Favorite things to do in WNC: I love going to Brevard to hike & Lake Santeetlah to boat & swim.
 
Favorite item at the co-op: Which department? If I had to pick one…..the fantastic specialty cheese department. So yummy, all of it.

Buffy Ford

Profession/Passion: World travel, live music, dancing, plant spirit medicine, big earrings.

Lived in WNC: 22 years total.

Other towns you’ve lived in: Fairbanks, AK, Upper Darby, PA, Santa Cruz & Sebastopol, CA, Marion & Mars Hill, NC 

On BOD Since: 2024.

Hobbies: Making jewelry, arranging flowers, creatively crafting concoctions from my yard to my kitchen.

Favorite things to do in WNC: Road trips with my pup. Farmers Markets.  Estate sales and auctions. Breathing the fresh air, walking beside moving water, and enjoying the views of nature.

Favorite item at the co-op: Cosmic Bliss , Organic plant based frozen dessert. All the flavors…but Galactic Mint is at the top. 

Dog or Cat: Dog…his name is Huckleberry he is a 10 year old frosty = 50/50 Frenchie/Boston.

 

Jamie Carson

Profession/Passion: I’m a recovering attorney rediscovering the magic of life by working outside in nature.

Lived in WNC: 10 years.

Other towns you’ve lived in: San Diego, CA; Milwaukee, WI; Laramie, WY; Charlotte, NC.

On BOD Since: 2024.

Hobbies: Gardening, aerial silks, tarot, western astrology, anti inflammatory baking and cooking.

Favorite things to do in WNC: Hiking, people watching, live music, eating at our delicious restaurants.

Favorite item at the co-op: Bulk dried mango – yum! 

Dog or Cat: Cat – I have two old ladies, Twombly and Dorian

Tricia Baehr

Profession: Chiropractic Assistant at Crystalign Chiropractic, Pastry Chef at The Pure & Proper, Black Mountain.

Passion: Homesteading, Permaculture, Community, Holistic Health.

Lived in WNC:  12 1/2 years.

Other towns you’ve lived in: Knoxville, TN – Kissimmee, FL – Jacksonville, FL – Atlanta, GA.

On BOD Since: New to board 2024.

Favorite things to do in WNC: Revel in the beauty & majesty of these ancient mountains.

Favorite item at the co-op: The bulk section & bulk purchasing.

Dog or cat person: Both!! Balance in all things!