A warm weather spell is coming to the mountains, and while spring is not yet here, there are still plenty of farm-fresh products for sale at winter tailgate farmers markets. What can you find? How about turnips, cabbage, apples, sweet potatoes, eggs, red beets, goat cheese, baked goods, local meat, and more!
There’s plenty happening over at the Woodfin YMCA Indoor Winter Tailgate Market. The market reports that they are hosting close to 40 vendors every week “to keep your pantry full of everything you need to keep your body fed and nurtured.” New Moon Herbs Farm is there every week with lots of produce including salad mix, sweet turnips, and collards. Other produce vendors at the market include Bee Tree Farm, Wildwood Herbal, and Ivy Creek Family Farm. Eggs are a hot item at winter tailgates. East Fork Farm is one place to get eggs at the Woodfin market. While you’re at East Fork’s booth, you can choose from a wealth of meat options. Speaking of local meat, Beulah Farm is a new vendor at the Woodfin market, selling grassfed beef and goat meat too. A returning vendor is Lusty Monk, who will make a comeback to the market with their mustards. Meadow Cove Farm is partnering with the Woodfin YMCA to conduct a Shitake mushroom inoculation workshop. Pick up a flier at their booth.
The Jackson County Farmers Market had a great turnout to last week’s Fundraising Brunch, despite the snowy/icy weather. They say to be on the lookout for another fundraiser in March. The market is hosting Sylva Sprouts’ Portable Seed Lending Library. You can find heirloom tomatoes and more to get a head start on spring planting. The Jackson County market has also started a series of vendor interviews called Meet the Vendors on their website as a way of telling you more who is growing your food.
There are plenty of other winter markets open now. For a list of these markets, visit the farmers market section of asapconnections.org or at our online farmers market calendar.
Fresh at Winters Farmers Markets This Week
