Valentine’s Day is one of the few days a year designated to showing your love and appreciation towards your significant other, friends, family, or whoever may be special to you! While you don’t have to wait for a special day to show your fondness, Valentine’s Day isn’t just about roses and chocolates–it’s about thoughtful moments, shared experiences, and supporting the people and places we love.
Are you or your significant other someone who values experiences over physical gifts? Take your special person on a date to a farmers market. You can pick out local produce and artisan products to craft a thoughtful meal you can make together. If a rich pasta dinner is on the mind, Rio Bertolini’s Fresh Pasta Co. has homemade pasta, ravioli, tortellini, and gnocchi in a variety of flavor combinations at Asheville City and River Arts District markets. Level up your pasta dish with infused compound butters like black garlic, truffle, and pawpaw honey from Wild Goods (Asheville City and River Arts District markets). Pair your pasta with a fresh salad with greens from Thatchmore Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market) and Wild East Farm (North Asheville and River Arts District markets). Bring a pop of pink and purple color to your salads with striking daikon radishes from Wild East Farm and New Roots Market Garden (North Asheville Tailgate Market).
Chocolate and flowers usually come to mind when one thinks of Valentine’s Day traditions, and while this combination can seem a little cliché at times, locally made presents can make these gifts so much more meaningful! While locally grown, fresh flowers might be hard to come by this time of year, Carolina Flowers (Asheville City Market) will have a small amount of early spring flowers like tulips and anemones. Look for vendors with an array of delicious chocolate treats like Silvermoon Chocolate (North Asheville Tailgate Market), Conjure Craft Chocolate (North Asheville Tailgate Market), and EveryDate’s refined sugar free truffles (Weaverville Tailgate Market). Plus, find a special heart (coeur) shaped chocolate goat cheese from Spinning Spider Creamery at North Asheville and River Arts District markets.
Beyond chocolates, markets are full of unique finds that share the love with local vendors. From honey to handcrafted candles, baked goods, preserves, hot sauces, and artisanal cheeses, these gifts tell a story making them perfect for showing someone how much you care. Find handmade candles made with local beeswax from North Star Candle Co. (North Asheville Tailgate Market), jams and jellies from Imladris (North Asheville Tailgate Market), handcrafted tea blends from Asheville Tea Co. (North Asheville Tailgate Market) and Full Moon Tea Co. (Asheville City Market), and dozens of delicious based goods from French Broad Pastry (Asheville City and North Asheville markets) and Flat Rock Village Bakery (River Arts District Farmers Market).
Please note that Weaverville Tailgate Market is temporarily moving locations to accommodate early voting at the Weaverville Community Center. The market will be at Weaver House (56 N. Main St.) Feb. 18 and 25. Weaverville Tailgate Market will return to the community center in March. Additionally, Black Mountain Tailgate Market has announced their reopen date for March 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At winter markets, find a variety of winter produce including greens, cabbages, potatoes, and root crops like radishes. You’ll also find farm-fresh eggs, cheese, bread, pastries, fermented products, drinks, and prepared foods. As always, you can find information about farms, tailgate markets, and farm stands, including locations and hours, by visiting ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
