Early summer brassicas are coming in at farmers tailgate markets across Buncombe County, including cabbage, broccoli, and kohlrabi. Cabbage and kohlrabi will be available throughout the summer and early fall, but broccoli will disappear during the hotter months, so make sure you get some now!
Fresh at Farmers Markets
Start your shopping list and get meal inspiration each week with ASAP’s roundup of what’s fresh at farmers markets. Although this report focuses on vendors at Buncombe County markets, many products mentioned can be found at markets throughout the region. Want to get this report in your inbox each week? Subscribe to ASAP’s Weekly Farmers Market Report newsletter. Looking for a yearlong view? Check out ASAP’s produce seasonality chart.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
June has arrived and with it an exciting spread of new produce on farmers market tables—summer squash, snap peas, cherries, kohlrabi, broccoli, garlic scapes, baby beets, and even a few greenhouse-grown tomatoes and peppers. There are more vendors, too, as some farms are returning to market after the slower spring season. Several markets have been able to adjust their layout to accommodate additional spaces while still maintaining social distancing precautions. And starting today, you have another market to visit in Asheville. East Asheville Tailgate Market reopens this afternoon from 3 to 6 p.m. at Groce Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Rd.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Local bamboo shoots might not be an item you would expect to find on farmers market tables, but they’re available now, either fresh or pickled, from Lee’s One Fortune Farm, at ASAP Farmers Market (both Thursday and Saturday), Black Mountain Tailgate Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market, and River Arts District Farmers Market.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
With Memorial Day weekend and a possible break in the rain, your grill may be calling to you. As Phase 2 of the state’s reopening approaches, it might even feel safe enough to grill up a few burgers and brats for someone other than yourself and immediate family members, especially if you’re dining outside. No matter how you decide to enjoy the holiday, farmers tailgate markets have what you need. (Remember that even as the city and state progress through planned phases of reopening, it’s important to continue precautions like wearing a mask and maintaining a six-foot distance from others when you shop at markets.)
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
We’ve finally left these late frosts behind and are moving into consistently warm days. It’s time to start day dreaming about summer crops. And, with some farms utilizing greenhouses to speed along warm-weather produce, you can do more than fantasize about the first cucumbers of the season. Both Headwaters Market Garden (ASAP Farmers Market on Saturdays) and Thatchmore Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market and West Asheville Tailgate Market) have them now!
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Mother’s Day is Sunday and fresh cut, local flowers are bringing a riot of color to farmers tailgate markets right now—peonies, ranunculus, sweet William, bachelor’s buttons, and even poppies. Pick up a bouquet for the mothers you’re social distancing with or buy some for yourself and send a picture to far away moms. We think she’ll still appreciate the gesture. Find bouquets Saturday morning at ASAP Farmers Market at A-B Tech from Carolina Flowers and Lee’s One Fortune Farm or at North Asheville Tailgate Market from Full Sun Farm.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Quarantine is taking its toll on all of us. It’s hard to remain cheerful, productive, and even at little bit at peace with life feeling perpetually on hold. We’re not saying that strawberries are going to solve this. But we really think they might help a little.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
We’ll see a few more farmers markets opening in Buncombe County in the next two weeks, though others have announced delays. Set to open Saturday, May 2, are North Asheville Tailgate Market at UNC Asheville and Black Mountain Tailgate Market. Enka-Candler Tailgate Market will begin Thursday, May 7, at a new location at the A-B Tech Small Business Center at 1465 Sand Hill Rd. in Enka. East Asheville Tailgate Market and Riverside Tailgate Market have both delayed openings and Asheville City Market’s downtown and south locations remain closed. Find a full list of which markets are open throughout the region here.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
With flooding earlier this week, some farms in our region are experiencing additional loss and frustration in this already uncertain time. You likely already know that shopping at farmers markets is one of the best ways to support local farms. Preordering what you want can also add a level of stability for farmers right now. Many farms are offering a preorder option at markets (some require it). This can take a little more advance work on your part, but it’s worth it to know that you will get what you want—and that you are helping farmers plan as well. Here’s a guide to the process.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Like so much else, visiting a farmers market these days has changed. Once an active hub of social interaction in our region, markets now feature social distance protocols, no-touch payment transactions, and sometimes fewer vendors. While outdoor markets and buying direct from farmers can be considerably safer than closed-in grocery stores, it’s important as shoppers that we change our behavior as well to help keep these markets running as safely as possible.