Fresh at [Winter] Farmers Markets this Week

What are some unique foods that you’ve tried from a vendor at area winter farmers tailgate markets? Perhaps it was a rare heirloom variety of peppers or tomatoes in the summer, a special one-time only cheese, or a fruit seldomly sold at market like Autumnberries. This week, a new vendor has increased the possibilities for the specialty items available at market: cricket bars by The Cricket Girl.
Alyssa, or The Cricket Girl, debuted at the YMCA Indoor Winter Tailgate Market this past Saturday. She sources crickets from South Carolina and then produces the cricket protein power and cricket flour herself. Alyssa currently makes the cricket flour by mixing the protein powder with wheat flour, but says that gluten-free options are in the works. At the moment she has protein bars and baked goods for sale, but she plans to add smoothies made with greens and the protein powder.
Another new vendor at the YMCA Indoor Winter Tailgate Market this past week is L.O.T.U.S., which stands for Living Only Through Urban Sustainability. Primarily a garden and farm supply store, their market display features a selection of organic soils, seeds, fertilizer, and more. They also have basil and greens for sale from their hydroponic and aquaponic growing operations, and elephant garlic from Elder Farm (part of the Garden Tea Co.).
This week, TWO once-a-month markets will pop-up! The Winter Sun CSA pick-up market at Blue Ridge Food Ventures will be on Wednesday, February 11 from 9 am to 7 pm. Expect to see Joe of Brittain Farms with chickens, and duck and chicken eggs, as well as Mills River Creamery’s delicious milk and cultured butter.
Bakersville Farmers Market will be open on February 14 at the Bakersville Community Medical Clinic parking lot from 10 am to 2 pm. What can you find there? Locally made chocolates, pies, sweets, breads, pork and beef, butter, bacon, herbal teas, syrups, and more!
For more information about winter farmers tailgate markets in our region, visit our 2015 Winter Farmers Markets page. For a complete list of Appalachian Grown™ certified tailgate markets browse our online Local Food Guide or online farmers market calendar.