‘Tis the season to give and receive gifts, and what better way to celebrate the holidays than to give local this year. Shopping at farmers markets and local businesses offers unique gifts that keep money in the local economy. Here are some fun gifts to be found at farmers markets and local shops this year:
Asheville Fungi offers mushroom grow kits with everything your friends and family need to grow their own mushrooms, from shiitakes to blue oysters. Find Asheville Fungi’s kits at farmers markets or at their shop in West Asheville.
The Farmers Hands, a husband-and-wife team from Madison County, produce onion jam that’s great for a holiday meal or given as a gift. They’re regular vendors at the West Asheville Tailgate Market and their jam is also available at the Hickory Nut Gap Farm store in Fairview, NC, which has an abundance of gifts from local farms.
Asheville Tea Company is a new business that sources loose leaf tea ingredients from local farmers, including Rayburn Farms. Give their pumpkin pie chai to anyone who could use a cozy gift this time of year.
Bring something truly unique to holiday meals with a “root bouquet” from Gaining Ground Farm. Multi-colored carrots, beets, and rutabaga are gathered in an upside down bouquet that can be given as a hostess gift, like bringing flowers to a dinner party.
Friends and family are sure to remember these unique gifts that can only be found in Western North Carolina. Locations and hours of holiday farmers markets can be found at www.appalachiangrown.org
Aired 11/28/16