Simply by sitting and eating with someone you might otherwise never bump into: Stereotypes are dismantled. Fear reduced. Hope empowered.

We invite you to 12 Baskets Café, where community and compassion come together. Join us for coffee, conversation, and community! Everyone is welcome to share in the abundance of rescued food at 610 Haywood Rd, West Asheville.

cafe Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 10 am cafe opens for coffee; 11 am to 1 pm - Lunch is served and free store is open

Every other Wednesday: 5 to 6 pm - Dinner and free store is open

Saturday and Sunday: 9 am cafe opens for coffee; 10 am to 12 pm - Brunch is served

Get involved at the cafe!

Our cafe is a gathering space for people from all walks of life – those experiencing physical hunger, those seeking a sense of belonging, and those eager to contribute. At API, we hunger for community, and our cafe reflects this shared feast of food and good company in a "by-donation" style.

Contribute in ways that resonate with you, whether through cash or monthly donations, helping with dishwashing or serving, or assisting in post-lunch cleanup. Everyone is greeted warmly and invited to the table. Donations are appreciated to cover rent and materials.

At 12 Baskets Cafe, we receive donations of high-quality, surplus food from local businesses and the food service industry. These donations, which would otherwise go to waste, are collected by API companions and repurposed for sharing. Join us in fostering a community where everyone has a seat at the table. Find out more about that here.

We function like a cafe/restaurant so you would help by casually waiting on tables, helping with dishes, or helping in our free grocery store. There is always time for you to sit down to eat and meet people yourself as well! Please use this link to sign up for a shift and to read more about specific responsibilities.

Please use street parking and avoid the lot outside our entrance, as it's reserved for food drop-offs and neighboring businesses. Let's be good neighbors together!

If you have any questions about the Cafe, donating food, or volunteering please reach out to our cafe coordinator Aaron@ashevillepovertyinitiative.org or call us at 828-222-0393.

Community Group Hosting

We are thrilled to introduce a new program that transforms our 12 Baskets Café and Garden into a community center after normal operating hours. Whether you're planning a community forum, a town hall meeting, a board game night, a training session, or a book club gathering, our café and garden are the ideal spaces to unite people.

If you're interested in making our café or garden your go-to community space after hours, don't hesitate to reach out to us at contact@ashevillepovertyinitiative.org. Let's build a stronger community together at 12 Baskets Café and Garden!