This week is a winter wind down and spring start up!
Asheville City Market (ACM) downtown hosts its last indoor winter market this Saturday, March 30 (10 am-1 pm). Expect the same goodness of the past several months—greens, cheeses, fresh-baked breads, and more. Also expect something new: the first fresh chickens of the season from Hominy Valley Farms!
Last Saturday, Haywood Park Hotel’s atrium began its winter transformation into a local food paradise with the first indoor Asheville City Market. The aroma of Biltmore Coffee Traders’ Sumatran blend filled the corridor, while farmers and artisan food producers dotted the space with all kinds of goodies—we’re talking chicken, chocolate, eggs, lamb, pickles, pork, you name it. Talented area craftspeople were there, too, with bath products for the winter blues, handmade lunch sacks and more.
Winter farmers tailgate markets are heating up! Saturday marks the second Neighborhood Y at Woodfin Winter Tailgate Market (10 am-12:30 pm), and we hear vendors will move outdoors thanks to the forecast of a near 70-degree day.
It’s not just deja vu! Most cool-weather veggies last seen in spring are back again at markets. Joining returning roots like turnips and greens like kale this week are Asian greens and cauliflower.
We’ve got a fall riddle for you: What are sure to make this week a sweet week at area farmers tailgate markets? (Hint: look left or up!)
Guest market report by Alex Alesi, fall communications intern; go Alex!
Lower temperatures make fall crops feel right on time at area farmers tailgate markets. Root vegetables will abound this week. Keep reading to see what we mean!
There has definitely been a broccoli buzz lately at area farmers tailgate markets! Expect that buzz to build and build in the coming weeks.
Broccoli is most prominent at markets in early summer, and again in the fall, but farmers have been offering up the veggie ahead of schedule this year. At the French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market alone, three vendors brought broccoli last week: MiLo Acres, Tucker’s Garden, and Old Ground Farm. Find broccoli at other markets this week as well, but do get there early to shop. Harvest amounts are limited and going fast.
Seeing strawberries? Your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you! The spring staple crop arrived at area farmers tailgate markets this past weekend, about two weeks ahead of schedule.
Strawberries joined fellow season-favorite asparagus at McConnell Farms’ two booths—at Asheville City Market and North Asheville Tailgate Market—selling out quickly at both. It’s possible they may still have a few bunches of asparagus this week, but strawberries are truly spring’s stars now. Jake’s Farm also brought berries to Asheville City Market, and Ivy Creek Family Farm brought theirs to North Asheville. Expect to find strawberries at markets through mid-May.
Spring’s boldest flavors—from ramps to asparagus and stinging nettles to spring onions—were front and center at area farmers tailgate markets this past week and weekend, and they should be available for your favorite recipes a little longer.
