At farmers tailgate markets throughout the year, you can find a range of produce from A-Z. Since it’s the first week of spring, it seems fitting to focus on the first letter of the alphabet. What are some items at market you can find now that start with the letter A?
Asparagus! Though it usually isn’t available until April, asparagus came early this year ! Stop by McConnell Farms at the YMCA Indoor Winter Market. Come April, you can visit McConnell at the outdoor Asheville City Market, and the North Asheville Tailgate Market. Asparagus is only harvested for a few weeks in early spring, and is the first new vegetable after winter to arrive at market. It’s the first sign of the new growing season!
Apples. The apples at market now were harvested last fall, but that doesn’t make them any less delicious. And, until strawberries pop up in late April/early May, apples are the only fresh fruit to get at market. Both McConnell Farms at the YMCA Indoor Winter Market and Creasman Farms at Asheville City Market have apples.
Aquaponics. Farms such as Sunburst Chef + Farmer have aquaponically grown greens. Other farms such as New Moon Herbs and Farmin’ the Sky have hydroponically grown greens. What’s the difference? Hydroponics are vegetables grown in water, without soil. Aquaponics is a combination of hydroponics and aquaculture, which is the process of raising fish. In aquaponics the fish and vegetables grow together, creating an ecosystem. Find kale, lettuce mixes, herbs and more from these farms at the YMCA Indoor Winter Market.
Artisan products. Discover artisan products like cheeses and breads made from the freshest and finest ingredients implementing age-old processes. For example, brick oven baked bread made with flour grown in the eastern part of North Carolina from Farm and Sparrow (YMCA), or chevre produced by a family that raises the goats themselves, such as Spinning Spider Creamery (YMCA and ACM).
Stay tuned to future tailgate market reports for market items using a specific letters of the alphabet!
Want to hear more about local winter markets? ASAP has a radio series called Growing Local, and more than one episode had featured the indoor winter tailgate markets. Check them out on Soundcloud.
Winter markets take place throughout the region. Check out the “2016 Winter Farmers Markets” page on ASAP’s website on asapconnections.org. As always, you can find information about which farm stands are open and other farms to visit in the winter months by visiting ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
