The Henderson County Education Foundation (HCEF) will host its sixth-annual Food for Thought event January 18 through January 24. The community is invited to dine-in or take-out at local, participating establishments that have participated in the annual event over the past six years or are newcomers to the Hendersonville food scene.

This year, Food for Thought: Covid Edition, is shifting the focus. Historically, restaurant partners have donated a portion of sales back to HCEF, but because the pandemic has greatly affected the restaurant industry, HCEF is not asking for donations from the restaurants.

“We wanted to encourage our community to patronize the restaurants that have faithfully supported us in the past,” says Summer Stipe, Executive Director of HCEF. “We know the industry is hurting, and we wanted to help them while also giving folks the ability to donate and support local public education. When customers dine-in or take-out at the participating restaurants, they can also give to HCEF by either putting donations in the designated donation jar, texting FOOD4THOUGHT to 44321, or making a donation on our website, www.hcefnc.org/food.”

The week will benefit both businesses and the Foundation with a large selection of participating restaurants; many taking part in the event for the sixth year in a row. Eating establishments participating in the event include: 2nd Act Coffee, Alykat Deli, Appalachian Coffee Company, Arabella Breakfast and Brunch, Blue Sky Café, Bold Rock Cidery, Dry Falls Brewing Company, Flat Rock Village Bakery, Fletcher Village Bakery, Hannah Flanagan’s, HenDough Chicken & Donuts, Honey + Salt, Janitzio Mexican Restaurant, Mike’s on Main, Oklawaha Brewing, Postero, Southern Appalachian Brewery, Three Chopt, West First Wood-Fired, Whit’s Frozen Custard, and Zen Hen.

Food for Thought is sponsored by Hendersonville Family Dental, Mills River Family Dental, WTZQ, and The Hendersonville Times-News. A full dining guide is located on the website www.hcefnc.org/food.