It’s hard to be blue when there are blueberries at area farmers tailgate markets this week! Blueberries have arrived at a handful of markets in the Asheville area, and they’re sure to be at even more markets next week.
Fresh, local blueberries are one of the jewels of summer. We’re lucky to have some just before the season officially begins, thanks to farmers such as Flying Cloud Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market, Asheville City Market, and Montford Farmers Market) and Milo Acres (French Broad Food Coop Wednesday Tailgate Market, and Black Mountain Farmers Market). Blueberries were also spotted at the Jackson County Farmers Market. For those of you who like to harvest your own berries you can find farms that offer u-pick in our Local Food Guide in print or online.
Another exciting summer fruit that debuted this week is peaches, spotted at the Oakley Farmers Market. Hopefully peaches will make their introduction to the season at more markets this upcoming week.
Farmers uprooted the first garlic of the season. Potent and flavorful, this all-purpose allium will enhance every dish, while also helping to keep colds and mosquitos away! Root Bottom Farm (Madison County Farmers Market and West Asheville Tailgate Market), Tucker’s Garden (North Asheville Tailgate Market and West Asheville Tailgate Market) and Oteen Farms (East Asheville Tailgate Market) all had beautiful, early season garlic.
Mushrooms are now available, too. Cultivated varieties, such as Oyster and Shiitake can be found at Asheville Fungi (French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market and West Asheville Tailgate Market) and Eagle Rock Farm (East Asheville Tailgate Market). Keep your eyes out for elusive wild harvested varieties like Chanterelles, which can be found at Paper Crane Farm (Asheville City Market and West Asheville Tailgate Market).
Some fun, unique finds this week are purple and green snow peas from Mountain Harvest Organics (North Asheville Tailgate Market), the first celery of the season from Gaining Ground Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market, Asheville City Market, and Montford Farmers Market), and fresh red and white onions from Gaining Ground Farm as well as Leaning Willow Farm (Madison County Farmers Market and French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market). Tender new potatoes also came up from the ground and were spotted at the Historic Marion Tailgate Market, Asheville City Market and the North Asheville Tailgate Market.
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
