Robinhood Group urges Union County to consider recurring budget support for farmers market and community gardens

Elise Ashby, executive director of the Robinhood Group, told Union County Council on July 8 that her nonprofit has expanded operations at the Union Farmers Market and is seeking recurring county funding to sustain staff and programming.

Ashby said the group has increased senior voucher distribution from about 400 to about 1,200 and has distributed 1,800 bags of fresh produce to pre-diabetic and diabetic residents since 2023. She described projects that include installing community gardens across municipalities, operating a commercial kitchen to prepare and sell produce, and training students in food management. “We would like to be a part of the budget on an annual basis,” Ashby said, adding the group needs paid personnel to run markets, gardens and the kitchen.

Council Chair Phillip G. Russell II thanked Ashby and said the request would be referred to the Finance Committee for consideration; he also noted the FY 2025–26 budget has been balanced, making immediate funding difficult. The referral means council and staff will review the request and potential funding options during committee deliberations rather than at the full meeting.

Why it matters: Ashby framed the request as addressing food access and chronic disease prevention by increasing residents’ access to fresh produce and expanding local food infrastructure. If the county eventually funds the program, the support would pay for personnel and operations that the Robinhood Group says are already serving seniors and medically vulnerable residents.

What happens next: Council referred the budget request to the Finance Committee for further review; the county did not commit funds at the July 8 meeting. The Finance Committee will determine whether and how to include recurring support in future budget cycles or recommend alternative funding sources.