Winter has arrived (recent weather notwithstanding) and many year-round farmers tailgate markets have moved indoors. Though fewer in number, these markets still offer the best of local, seasonal produce. Throughout the colder season you will find plenty of storage crops, like sweet potatoes, potatoes, apples, cabbage, turnips, winter squash, beets, and carrots. Many farms make use of greenhouses or high tunnels to continue producing salad mixes, lettuces, and dark, leafy greens straight through to springtime. Meats, eggs, cheeses, bread, and artisan foods and products will also be available.
In Buncombe County, the following markets will continue through winter:
- Asheville City Market: Saturdays 9 a.m.-noon, inside the Asheville Masonic Temple (80 Broadway St.). The downtown market features more than 30 farm and artisan vendors every Saturday before moving back outside in April.
- River Arts District Winter Farmers Market: Wednesdays 3 to 5:30 p.m., indoors at Plēb Urban Winery (289 Lyman St.). The midweek market features more than 20 farm and artisan vendors every Wednesday until May.
Need more options? Consider a winter road trip to visit a new market in the region.
To the south:
- Rutherford County Winter Farmers Market, Rutherfordton: 1st and 3rd Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon, through March 21.
- Polk County Winter Farmers’ Market: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon, through March 28
- Transylvania Farmers’ Market, Brevard: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-noon, through April 25.
To the west:
- Franklin Farmers “Winter” Tailgate Market: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-noon, through March.
- Jackson County Winter Farmers Market, Sylva: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., through Jan. 11 to March 28.
To the north:
- Boone Winter Farmers’ Market: 1st and 3rd Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon, through April 25.
- Spruce Pine Indoor Winter Farmers Market: 1st Saturdays, noon-4 p.m., through April 4.
In Tennessee:
- Johnson County Winter Farmers Market, Mountain City: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon, through April 25.
- Nourish Knoxville’s Winter Farmers’ Market: Alternate Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Jan. 11-April 18.
In South Carolina:
- Hub City Farmers Market Winter Harvest, Spartanburg: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon, 3rd Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon, through March.
- The Toasty Farmer, Greenville: Saturdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., through March 7
Area farmers tailgate markets take place throughout the region. As always, you can find information about farms, tailgate markets, and farm stands, including locations and hours, by visiting ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org.