Yes, it is spring. One way to know for sure, even with this week’s confusing cold and snow? Tailgate tents are going up, and area farmers markets are opening outdoors for the harvest season!
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
This week is a winter wind down and spring start up!
Asheville City Market (ACM) downtown hosts its last indoor winter market this Saturday, March 30 (10 am-1 pm). Expect the same goodness of the past several months—greens, cheeses, fresh-baked breads, and more. Also expect something new: the first fresh chickens of the season from Hominy Valley Farms!
Fresh at (Winter) Farmers Markets This Week
The weather is warming, and spring is officially just around the corner! Even though that means winter markets are winding down, there’s still plenty of excitement left for the next two-three weeks before they head outdoors, including more produce and plant starts.
Fresh at (Winter) Farmers Markets This Week
March may be the final month for most indoor winter tailgate markets, but don’t expect them to slow down until they have to. Diane Saccone with the Neighborhood Y at Woodfin Winter Tailgate Market shares that this Saturday, March 2, will actually be one of the busiest market days so far—and a busy day for the market’s neighbors, too!
Fresh at (Winter) Farmers Markets This Week
Attention, attention! This is your apple alert! You knew fall’s apples couldn’t last forever, and the time has come for them to say goodbye and make way for the spring bounty on its way (it’s okay to start daydreaming of asparagus and strawberries now; we have!).
Fresh at (Winter) Farmers Markets This Week
Look for lettuces this weekend at area winter farmers markets! Jake’s Farm hopes to bring the crunchy salad necessity with them Saturday to Asheville City Market (ACM) downtown and the Neighborhood Y at Woodfin Winter Tailgate Market. They also expect to bring bok choy, and they’ve even begun talking broccoli, which should be available in the coming weeks. Kay Farm offered up lotsa lettuce last Saturday at ACM, so get it again this weekend while the getting’s good.
Fresh at (Winter) Farmers Markets This Week
Love is in the air at winter tailgate markets! In fact, a new Valentine’s market has sprung up just for the February fete. We’re talking about the Historic Marion Tailgate’s Valentine Craft Market on Saturday, February 9, and Tuesday, February 12. Expect handcrafted gift items like jewelry and soap along with sweet and savory baked goods for your sweetie (say that five times fast!).
Fresh at (Winter) Farmers Markets This Week
Last report, we talked about more veggies and more vendors. This report, we’re talking about more markets!
*UPDATED* Markets Move Indoors! (WNC Winter Tailgate Schedule)
Last winter, ASAP and Asheville City Market experimented with hosting an indoor winter market at the tailgate’s south location. The result? Fanfare. In fact, it was so well received that Asheville City Market South will operate as an indoor winter market again this year, and Asheville City Market downtown will move indoors for the first time as well.
But our market isn’t alone in staying open during what was once the “off season.” In fact, more winter markets will operate in WNC this year than ever before!