During the depths of winter, it can feel invigorating to think about the abundance of fruits and vegetables to come. Spring lettuce is on its way soon, and tomato seeds are glimmers of hope that summer will arrive again. CSAs bring that bounty to from the farm the kitchen each week. A CSA, or Community … Read more
A few months ago, ASAP hosted an event called the Local Food Experience. There were tons of fresh food and local farmers, and we set up a storybooth outside. It started to rain toward the end of the night, and the sound of the rain on the tent made these interviews with community members even … Read more
The holiday season is in full swing here in Western North Carolina, and farmers markets are bustling with locals and visitors looking for holiday gifts. We ran into two customers at Asheville City Market who agreed to let us follow them around while they shopped. C.A. Carlson lives in Asheville and goes to Asheville City … Read more
Most weeks on Growing Local, we talk to farmers, chefs, and educators who are working to improve the local food system. But there’s another important link in the food chain—the community members who support local food. We wanted to know what motivates people to eat local, so earlier this fall, we invited people to share … Read more
Running a farm takes many skills—from planting seeds and caring for animals, to managing finances, and getting food into the hands of customers each week. Women across the region have stepped up to the challenge and play important roles at farms of all sizes. Nationally and regionally, according to the USDA Census of Agriculture, most … Read more
The sun sets over Mills River Creamery in Western North Carolina. A small herd of Jersey cows hear a farmworker whistle, so they amble over to the milking parlor. The milking machine chugs along as owner Bradley Johnston looks over the herd. He’s a third-generation farmer whose family has seen dramatic changes in the local … Read more
If you look through old books about farming in the mountains of Western North Carolina, you won’t find much mention of popcorn. If a farmer had enough flat land to grow corn, they were more likely to grow varieties that were suited for cornmeal and grits instead of popping. But these days, the crunch of … Read more
Seasonal eating is one of the joys of living in the Southern Appalachians. Community Supported Agriculture, also known as a CSA, lets you celebrate the arrival of each fruit and vegetable. There are CSAs for produce, meat, and even flowers. For produce CSAs, members sign up at the beginning of the season and receive a … Read more
Deep in the mountains of Western North Carolina, there’s a plant that’s been prized for hundreds of years. Ginseng is a slow-growing perennial with valuable roots that can be exported to Asia where it’s sought after for its medicinal properties. Ginseng has provided Southern Appalachian families with a boost in income during lean times, and … Read more
This year on Growing Local, we’ve shared dozens of stories about farmers, chefs, kids, and community members who support the local food movement. Today we’ll share some ways you can support local food, and take you behind the scenes at ASAP to meet two staff members who work every day to strengthen the local food … Read more