TRYON – When the Missildine’s building opened last month following extensive renovations, Carol Lynn Jackson expanded her local organic food business Manna Cabanna into the project.

Manna Cabanna now shares a building with Julia Calhoun’s Carolina Confections, the Mills Mosseller Rug Studio and the Tryon Toymakers businesses at 17 S. Trade St. in Tryon.

“Railroad towns are our thing and we are whistle-stopping in another historic town and another historic structure with eyes on the past for the future of food in Polk County,” Jackson said. “This work requires a great deal of personal investment on everyone’s part and I would like to thank each and every person and business who has supported Manna Cabanna throughout the years.”

Jackson’s business began in 2005 in a parking lot in downtown Saluda with four coolers and a beach chair. Jackson added that she plans to continue using the Saluda location as an administrative building to serve the residents of Saluda. The Tryon Market location came through an invitation to join Calhoun at Carolina Confections, she said.

“We haven’t fully left Saluda, and there is more news to come while we continue to house our administrative office in Saluda,” Jackson said. “We are eager to improve our retail location’s access and affordability with our business mission rooted in Polk County’s agricultural past and present.”

According to Jackson, Manna Cabanna has helped keep $250,000 of food dollars within the community from local farm to consumer. The shop’s winter Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program begins on December 14. Jackson said she frequently sees items ranging from assorted greens to turnips and sweet potatoes in the winter program.

“Vendors will rotate offerings while helping run the market and there will always be prepared, packaged, fresh meals and snacks for grab and go,” Jackson said.

On a national level, Jackson said she has seen a dramatic increase in the sales of organic foods and ready-to-eat snacks from 1990 to 2013.

“The demand is inspiring entrepreneurs who are discovering that with the right amount of supportive infrastructure in the local food system, the entry barriers to starting one’s own organic, natural, or fresh-made meals business are relatively low,” Jackson explained. “We also offer year round nutrition education, cooking demos, healthy meal kits, affordable pricing structures and soon to come EBT transactions.”

Visitors to Manna Cabanna can sign up for e-mail newsletters and place meal orders for caterings at holiday gatherings, Jackson said. The shop had a grand opening at the Tryon location on November 4 and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“This is our downtown Tryon Market model, one that is commissary style for grab and go meals and snacks with daily access to fresh local organic produce and herbs,” Jackson said. “We will complete this model before opening our grocery and bistro model adjacent to our certified kitchen at 835 N. Trade Street in Tryon in early 2017.”