Spring is here! Last Friday was the official first day of spring, and with the change of season comes the opening of many of the region’s spring/summer/fall farmers tailgate markets. Winter markets and hours are still in effect for most markets, so it’s best to check their listing in our online Local Food Guide before leaving the house.
Whether the market you attend throughout the spring/summer/fall starts now or later, those first iconic spring items we’re all so very excited for — such as strawberries, rhubarb, asparagus, and ramps — are still a few weeks away.
What can you expect at the markets now? Much of the same great products that we’ve had the pleasure to purchase through the winter: greens, cheeses, local meats, jams, bread, eggs, honey, savory and sweet treats, and handcrafted artisan items.
There will also be some items available in the earliest days of the spring markets that haven’t been at winter markets. Get your own personal garden going with plants that were born at the hands of some of our most skilled growers — local farmers. Many folks will have wonderful plant starts for sale in the coming weeks.
Some farmers who haven’t been vending at markets throughout the winter may show up for the first spring markets with storable produce like carrots, turnips, parsnips, potatoes, and sweet potatoes from last season, and value-added items such as jams, salsas, and juices — just to name a few possibilities.
The following area tailgate markets will open in the next two weeks: Asheville City Market South (Wednesday, April 1), Asheville City Market (Saturday, April 4), Jackson County Farmers Market (Saturday, April 4), Leicester Farmers Market (Saturday, April 4), Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market (Saturday, April 4), West Asheville Tailgate Market (Tuesday, April 7), North Asheville Tailgate Market (Saturday, April 11), and the French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market (Wednesday, April 15). Henderson County Tailgate Market opened on Saturday, March 14, so check it out now. For more information about spring opening dates for farmers tailgate markets in our region, visit our full list of market opening dates.
For a complete list of Appalachian Grown™ certified tailgate markets browse our online Local Food Guide or online farmers market calendar.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This week
