Fresh at (Winter) Farmers Markets This Week

Asheville City Market South‘s indoor winter market kicked off with a bang last week. Nine vendors took part in the grand opening…
Three Graces Dairy offered up a wide variety of flavored goat’s milk cheeses, as well as aged sheep’s milk, cow’s milk, and all the blends in between. Roots & Branches offered the perfect cheese vessel: artisan handmade crackers, including flavors like Kalamata olive. They had fresh-baked breads, too, as did Sweet Monkey Bakery, who even brought their scrumptiously soft whole wheat bagels.

Beulah Farm set up with free range eggs and a variety of meats; keep your eyes out for a sale soon on their beef rib eyes, which are just right for hearty seasonal dishes. Galas and Granny Smiths were picture-perfect from Creasman Farms (above). Ma Belle France had soups galore, along with French quiches and fruit tarts. And the Chocolate Lab spread out their hand-dipped chocolates as far as the eye could see!
The good smells went beyond food: Bath Salts and Beyond offered aromatic bath salts, and Green Bee Cleaning had essential oil cleaning products and soaps.
…and that number will grow this week! Spinning Spider Creamery arrives tomorrow; they’ll alternate weekly with Three Graces Dairy this season. Jake’s Farm, Blue Meadow Farms, and Rio Bertolini’s will also join the cast of vendors. Jake’s will bring salad mix, greens, turnips, and even edible flowers. Blue Meadow will also bring produce, and Rio Bertolini’s will offer up all your favorite fresh pastas.
Vendors returning from last week promise exciting additions tomorrow (2-6 pm at Biltmore Park Town Square). Bath Salts & Beyond plans to bring spray misters that can be used for the throat to keep winter germs at bay. Speaking of germs, we hear there will be a sale on Green Bee Cleaning’s Rosemary-Mint Counter Spray to wash them away!
Elsewhere indoors, markets are going strong, too! The Madison County Farmers and Artisans Market winter tailgate happens on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month (that’s this Saturday!) from 10 am until 2 pm at the Madison County Extension Office. Vendors offer eggs and meat, veggies, and even jewelry and other handmade items. Stay tuned next week for details on the Jackson County Farmers Market’s indoor market; their next tailgate is February 4.
Looking to brave the cold (well, mild-cold!)? While the West Asheville Tailgate Market has closed for the season, Double ‘G’ Ranch and Brittain Farms are still bringing their farm-fresh chicken and duck eggs to the parking lot at 718 Haywood Road every Tuesday, from 2-4 pm. And, Carolina Wild Seafood still heads to the site of Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market (the HART Theater parking lot) on Wednesdays with special orders (call to pre-order: 828-768-2376).
Is your neighborhood winter market missing? Tell us!