Tina Masciarelli served as Buy Haywood’s Project Coordinator from 2012-2024. She is a native of Haywood County and grew up in the historic Bethel community.  After graduating from Pisgah High School in 1990, Tina went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work with a minor in Women’s Studies from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.  Upon graduation, she dedicated a year of service to Americorps as the Director of Social Services & Community Outreach at San Miguel Middle School in Back of the Yards Community, Southside Chicago.  After returning to Haywood County in 2000 with her husband to raise their family, Tina has been actively involved in various community projects with local organizations such as Leadership Haywood, Bethel Rural Community Organization and the Master Gardener Volunteer Association.

In 2011, Tina completed her Master of Liberal Arts degree at the University of North Carolina at Asheville with an emphasis on sustainable community food and farming systems.  Her graduate research approached the complexity of the  global food system and its relationship to poverty by weaving together a solution-focused investigation into sustainable community food systems with environmental, social and economic implications.  Tina joined Buy Haywood in September 2012 and served in the leadership position from March of 2013-December 2024.  During her tenure, Tina supported farming and agriculture on a regional level by serving on the WNC Food Policy Council for many years. Locally, Tina remains an ardent supporter of local farms and artisanal makers by shopping locally for the freshest seasonal produce, eggs, meats, jams, honey, U-Pick opportunities and more.

In addition to being passionate about Buy Haywood, Tina is also a writer, photographer, educator, explorer and optimist.

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