Grower-buyer meetings are a chance for farmers and producers to introduce themselves to grocers, distributors, and chefs and discuss products and potential interest. There are no promises made and no contracts signed; it’s just a chance to open a door and follow up later. For growers who are just getting started, this is a great opportunity to learn about individual buyer requirements.
The next Grower-Buyer Meeting will be held during the extended lunch at ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026 at A-B Tech in Asheville, NC. The meeting is open to anyone attending the conference. Participating buyers will be announced in early February.
In addition to the annual Grower-Buyer Meeting at the Business of Farming Conference, ASAP offers periodic stand-alone events, both virtually and in person. Are you a buyer interested in meeting with local farmers? Contact David Smiley with any questions.
Participating Buyers
The Biltmore Company
Location: Asheville, NC
Description: Hotel, resort, and restaurant.
Desired Products: local Produce and Grains
Requirements: 1MM for delivery insurance; sustainable practices
Bone & Broth
Location: Asheville, NC
Description: Casual upscale neighborhood bar and grill with a focus on seasonality and local ingredients
Desired Products: protein, produce (especially heirloom or unique varieties)
Requirements: prefer regenerative and sustainable practices
Boone Street Market
Location: Jonesborough, TN
Description: Nonprofit year-round specialty grocery and farmers market.
Desired Products: produce, specialty vegetables, value-added products
Requirements: Insurance; certifications are helpful
Caja Solidaria
Location: Hendersonville & Brevard, NC
Description: Nonprofit providing food to over 300 families per week for free.
Desired Products: produce, eggs, grains (wheat & grits), sweet corn, dry beans and cow peas
Requirements: Organic, regenerative, and naturally grown preferred; liability insurance
Community Farm Stop of Rutherford County
Location: Rutherfordton, NC
Description: Cooperative food hub serving Rutherford County with an emphasis on local food and community.
Desired Products: produce, eggs, meat, dairy
Requirements: Organic/natural/regenerative preferred, grass-fed/finished beef, pasteurized dairy
Ecusta Market & Cafe
Location: Hendersonville, NC
Description: Grocery and cafe with focus on locally grown produce, meat, dairy, and artisan goods.
Desired Products: meat, dairy, eggs, produce, and pantry goods
Requirements: Insurance, certifications are helpful, naturally grown or Organic preferred
Gracious Plates on Main
Location: Franklin, NC
Description: Farm to table restaurant sourcing as many local goods as possible.
Desired Products: produce
HCM: Smoky Mountain Harvest Hub
Location: Waynesville, NC
Description: Year-round food hub specializing in local food distribution to charitable and non-charitable partners in WNC.
Desired Products: produce, meats, dairy, eggs, bread, grains, value-added products
Requirements: Growers Certificate requested, Food Safety Plan, GAP is helpful
Main Season Market + Brewery
Location: Marion, NC
Description: Small local market, cafe, brewery, and more in Downtown Marion opening Spring 2026.
Desired Products: local products
MANNA Foodbank
Location: Mills River, NC
Description: Non-profit Food Bank in WNC looking to build community agriculture.
Desired Products: produce
Mountain Food Products
Location: Asheville, NC
Description: Wholesale produce distribution company serving the greater Asheville area. We also coordinate a seasonal multi-farm CSA program.
Desired Products: produce, herbs, specialty crops
NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI)
Location: State of North Carolina
Description: Farm to School consultants present to match farmers with public school districts.
Desired Products: fruits, vegetables (especially dark green and orange), dairy, beef, pork
Requirements: 1 MM in liability, GAP or GAP equivalent, ability to deliver to central warehouse
Pearl’s Kitchen
Location: Valle Crucis, NC
Description: A small scratch kitchen and marketplace featuring as close to 100% local produce and goods as possible. We hope to add a produce market in Spring.
Desired Products: produce
Play. Advocate. Live Well. aka PAL Spartanburg
Location: Spartanburg, SC
Description: Non-profit local food hub creating opportunities for healthy eating and connecting customers to local food.
Desired Products: produce, nuts, grains, herbs
Reid’s Cafe
Location: Sugar Mountain, NC
Description: Four unique restaurants in the High Country all working directly with local farmers.
Desired Products: produce, meat, eggs, dairy
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee
Location: Maryville, TN + 18 East TN Counties
Description: Food bank with Harvesting Hope initiative to purchase from local growers and distribute to agency partners, such as food pantries or schools.
Desired Products: produce, meat, eggs, dairy
Requirements: W-9
Soprana / Embassy Suites
Location: Asheville, NC
Description: Appalachian inspired Neapolitan restaurant sourcing as much locally as possible.
Desired Products: produce, animal products, honey, flour
Requirements: Liability insurance, Growers Certificate
Sow True Seed
Location: Asheville, NC
Description: Small employee-owned cooperative committed to providing high quality Open-Pollinated Seeds.
Desired Products: open-pollinated vegetable, herb and flower seeds, ginger rhizomes, plant starts
Requirements: Seed saving experience; grow, harvest, process, clean, store, label, and deliver seeds
Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery + Food Hub
Location: Greenville, SC
Description: Kitchen, cafe, grocery, and food hub that support a sustainable food system and allow local farmers and food makers to thrive.
Desired Products: produce, eggs, meat, grains, value-added products, you name it!
TRACTOR Food & Farms
Location: Spruce Pine, NC
Description: Nonprofit food hub serving Western North Carolina farmers and consumers through CSA, wholesale, and farmer support programs.
Desired Products: pears, truffles, grapes, strawberries, watermelons, asparagus, brussels sprouts, and persimmons
Requirements: Product liability insurance, CFSA Grower, farm visit
How to Prepare for a Grower-Buyer Meeting
Have farm materials available to share digitally. Helpful items might include:
- Price sheets
- Projected product availability
- Brochure or fact sheet with info about insurances, food safety, delivery terms and area, packaging, etc.
- Photos of the farm
- Product samples
Don’t be intimidated if you don’t have these items. Depending on the buyer and your stage of business development, a quick “get to know you chat” and a handshake might be right. The buyers we invite are friendly and are there to educate and inform as well as to source product.
Here are some questions you might like to ask:
- What are your specs for my product line? (size, packaging, ripeness, preferred cuts, etc.)
- What volume of my products might you be interested in purchasing?
- What insurance, food safety, and labeling/packaging requirements do you have?
- What is your preferred delivery schedule?
- How do you like to make orders? (phone call, fax form, email, etc.)
- How can I follow up on this meeting? What would be the right timing to connect again?