Outdoor Farmers Markets are Back!

It’s officially spring in the mountains and farmers are hard at work. In between preparing fields, planting seeds, and welcoming baby animals onto the farm, many farmers are also getting spring produce ready for market.

Several outdoor markets start up this weekend. The North Asheville Tailgate Market at UNCA starts April 1st, 2017. So does the Madison County Farmers Market near Mars Hill University, and the West Asheville Tailgate Market on Tuesdays starts April 4th.

A big change is happening to the Asheville City Market. Starting this Saturday, the market is moving to North Market Street, right in the middle of downtown. The road will be closed between Woodfin and East Walnut Streets so locals and visitors can enjoy open-air shopping each week.

With a new, expanded lineup of farmers, bakers, cheesemakers, craftspeople, and other vendors, the Asheville City Market will offer farm-fresh food and products with “street fair” flair. As a “producer only” market, each vendor must grow or produce the goods themselves. This helps shoppers better understand where their food comes from, and provides a platform for goods that are made locally.

No matter which market is your favorite, it’s worth checking out a few different markets throughout the season. You’ll meet new farmers, try new products, and get to know more people in the community.

Look for the opening dates of farmers markets throughout the region at www.asapconnections.org  And keep up with what’s fresh each week at www.fromhere.org

Aired 3/27/17

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