Summer is in full gear and with it comes an abundance of farm fresh fruit including peaches, blackberries, plums, and tomatoes, from area farmers tailgate markets! And with Independence Day coming up on Saturday, there are plenty of grilling options for your holiday parties including local meats and veggies.
The return of fresh tomatoes has market shoppers giddy. Full Sun Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market, River Arts District Farmers Market) and Aardvark Farm (Asheville City Market, Rivers Arts District Farmers Market, Yancey County Farmers Market) both have heirloom tomatoes for sale. Be sure not to miss Aardvark’s Wild Boar Pink Berkeley Tie-Dye tomatoes.
Fruit options abound at markets. Creasman Farms (Asheville City Market, Black Mountain Tailgate Market, River Arts District Farmers Market) have peaches, blackberries, plums, and nectarines. Find peaches, blackberries, and more from McConnell Farms (Asheville City Market, Asheville City Market South, North Asheville Tailgate Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market). You can also grab peaches courtesy of Gardens United (West Asheville Tailgate Market).
Grill up some eggplant this Fourth of July as Ten Mile Farm (Asheville City Market, Rivers Arts District Farmers Market) has the first eggplant of the season. Other vegetable grilling options include shiitake mushrooms and summer squash. Get shiitakes from Long Valley Eco-Biotic Farm at Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market, Weaverville Tailgate Market, and West Asheville Tailgate Market. Markets have all sorts of other veggies to choose from including greens, onions, and beets. Both Full Sun Farm and Gaining Ground Farm (Asheville City Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market, River Arts District Farmers Market) have silver slicer cucumbers.
Need some meat for your backyard cookouts? Head over to the Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market as Mackey Farms have chicken, bratwurst, and chops while Shady Place Farm has briskets, ground beef, and steaks. Over at the Transylvania Farmers Market, Cosmo Farms is back with whole, pasture-raised chickens to sell.
There are always fun events at markets across the region. The Historic Marion Tailgate Market is hosting a tasting by Sherry Hughes, Catalyst for Healthy Eating and Active Living for McDowell County. She will be preparing cool cuke and dill salads. The Transylvania Farmers Market is hosting a Growing Minds @ Market tent with a different kid’s activities each week throughout the summer!
For a complete list of Appalachian Grown™ certified tailgate markets browse ASAP’s online Local Food Guide or the online farmers market calendar.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
