Executive Director

Overview

Equal Plates Project seeks a visionary and transformational Executive Director to take the organization to the next level – supporting local farmers, addressing food insecurity, and building community through scratch-cooked meals.

The Area

When people think of Asheville, the word that comes to mind first is 'beautiful.' It is a culturally rich region that is both economically and geographically diverse. Its quality of life makes it highly attractive as a place where lifestyle complements professional opportunity. It is difficult to find a top ten list that doesn’t include Asheville. Whether the list is touting our virtues for our local food system, outdoor recreation, restaurants, breweries, or a place to vacation or retire, the area continues to rank highly.

The Organization:

Equal Plates Project purchases from small farms at fair prices, transforms their quality ingredients into nourishing meals, and partners with community organizations to share thousands of meals each week with neighbors facing complex barriers to food access.

Our vision is a connected community where local farmers thrive by growing food for their neighbors, and everyone—regardless of barriers—enjoys access to nourishing, locally sourced meals.

In order to use local food as a lever for nourishment, social connection and community resilience, we work with a variety of nonprofit partners to share meals alongside their vital programming. Our partners include permanent supportive housing projects, subsidized senior residences, parenting support groups, youth groups, emergency shelters, family shelters and domestic safety shelters. We are committed to investing over 50% of our food budget into small, local farms, and have direct relationships with farmers in multiple WNC counties where we source quality produce, grains and animal products.

EPP is led by a diverse board of directors made up of 7 members who reflect the range of perspectives that shape our area - business, nonprofit, and civic leaders. EPP has a dedicated staff of 9.

In 2025, the organization served ~150,000 meals and invested ~$250k into local farms. The annual budget is ~ $1.2

Million.

Position Summary

EPP’s Executive Director will be the key player in growing the organization strategically, ensuring the organization’s financial and operational health while overseeing the provision of high-quality services, partnership and community engagement, and board management.

The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Directors and supervises the Operations Manager and Marketing Manager.

The incoming Executive Director will succeed Madi Holtzman who is leaving at the end of February. She has led the organization effectively since 2022.

Priorities for the new Executive Director

The new leader will lead the organization in focusing on the following priorities within the first 12-18 months of their tenure:

• Implement the strategic plan – particularly for expanding outside Buncombe County
• Grow and strengthen relationships with the community and partner organizations
• Secure new revenue streams
• Deepen the collaborative, team-oriented culture amidst the move to the new facility

Primary Responsibilities

Organizational Strategy and Leadership

• Responsible for the overall impact of EPP on the community.
• Maintain alignment between the overall vision, mission, and core values of the organization and our work of supporting local farmers, addressing food insecurity, and building community through scratch-cooked meals.
• Leads long range planning and visioning, including assessment of community needs in partnership with the Board of Directors and staff.
• Provides advice, counsel, and support to the Board of Directors, and helps maintain and leverage an engaged, powerful board.

Fundraising and Development

• Refine and enhance EPP’s fundraising strategy, including short and long-term goals for individual donors, grants, and earned income.
• Manage, cultivate, and retain a solid donor base through quality relationships.

Communication and Advocacy

• Be the lead spokesperson for EPP via excellent verbal and written communication skills and experience.
• Oversee outreach, in partnership with the Marketing…