Expect a bean bounty at area farmers tailgate markets. For example, nearly every produce vendor at French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market reports they’ll offer them this week. And let us spill the beans: many farmers are offering the veggie in bulk now, as they’re doing with tomatoes, so you can put them up for the winter when they can’t be found locally. Not sure if your farmer is offering a bulk deal? Just ask!
Jackson County Farmers Market
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Corn is finally making an appearance at area farmers tailgate markets, although a little later than normal. According to Creasman Farms (Asheville City Market, Montford Farmers Market), recent dry conditions are to blame. Despite the weather, their booth—along with those of vendors like McConnell Farms (Asheville City Market downtown and South, North Asheville Tailgate Market)—will give you an earful now!
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Berries remain bountiful at area farmers tailgate markets this week. McConnell Farms’ tables promise to again overflow with quarts of big, bold blackberries at Asheville City Market South, Asheville City Market, and North Asheville Tailgate Market. Also expect raspberries, nectarines, and peaches at markets around the region. There is another fruit that’s begun to steal the show from berries, though: the tomato!
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Not ready to say ‘so long’ to spring produce? Then head out to area farmers tailgate markets this week and stock up before summer officially arrives!
Garlic scapes will begin waning with heat on our heels. Luckily, the flower stem of the garlic plant can easily be preserved to enjoy throughout the year. Scapes pickle well and make a great pesto, which can be frozen. If going that route, also pick up basil for a batch. The herb is available from many vendors now; Fisher Branch Farm (Asheville City Market) even has three kinds of basil starts if you want to plant yourself.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Spring salad ingredients are stealing the spotlight at area farmers tailgate markets now. And we’re not just talking about the standards—although crisp local lettuces and radishes abound. Find everything you need for specialty side salads: slaw, pasta salad, even potato salad!
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
And they’re off—area outdoor tailgate markets, that is—to a great start (pun intended)! Leicester Farmers Market, the first outdoor market to open this spring, overflowed with beautiful plant starts last weekend. In fact, Finally Farm had almost five tables of starts. Vendors will have lots more this Friday (4-7 pm) and Saturday (9 am-2 pm); the market will continue now two days a week.
Hoping to start a culinary herb garden? Visit vendors like Blue Heron Farm for thyme, parsley, lemon verbena, rosemary, and more. Thinking about planting veggies? Find starts for heirloom tomatoes, peppers, squash, and beans from vendors like Synchronicity Farms. Garden-friendly flowers like marigolds will also be available.
Fresh at (Winter) Farmers Markets This Week
If apples are, well, the apple of your eye, you won’t want to miss area farmers markets these next three weeks! Creasman Farms has been bringing their apples to both Asheville City Market South (Wednesdays, 2-6 pm) and the indoor market at the Woodfin YMCA (Saturdays, 10 am-noon) all winter long. But, their supplies of the fall crop can’t last forever. Expect them to stay through the end of March—they’ll still have their apple baked goods and apple butter, too. Should they not sell out of Pink Lady and the other remaining varieties by the end of the month, you may find them vending into April. But if they do sell out, you’ll have to wait to see Creasman again until July, when they return to Asheville City Market with their summer crops of peaches and berries.
Fresh at (Winter) Farmers Markets This Week
Valentine’s Day was definitely the theme of winter farmers markets last week—think handmade jewelry, crafts, and desserts galore, including giant chocolate hearts bearing the quintessential phrase Be Mine. Though the holiday and its special sweets will have come and gone before this week’s markets arrive, there will still be lots to swoon over!
Market favorites Rio Bertolini’s—who offer fresh pastas, sauces, and pizza dough—came back for good last week to Asheville City Market South’s winter tailgate (Wednesdays 2-6 pm). For their return, they brought several new flavors of raviolis, including pea and pancetta and parsnip and chestnut. Be on the lookout for exciting new fillings this week and every Wednesday. You can also find Rio Bertolini’s at the Winter Market at the Neighborhood Y at Woodfin (Saturdays 10 am-noon).
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Been bit by the holiday decorating bug? Then head out to area farmers tailgate markets this week for festive farm-fresh flourishes!
Weaverville Tailgate Market kicks off their holiday season Wednesday, November 30th. Vendor Lyda Farms promises lots of holiday greenery, as well as decorative branches of Curly Willow and Pussy Willow. Weaverville’s holiday markets run the next four Wednesdays, through December 21, from 2 until 6 pm inside the community center near Lake Louise.
Corners Knob Farm will bring their just-cut Fraser Firs and handmade Fraser wreaths to Asheville City Market Saturday. They’ll remain through the final holiday market. But, don’t rest on your laurels; they could sell out before then.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Fall may be settling in, but some summer veggies—from peppers to beans—can still be found this week at area farmers tailgate markets. There has even been a surge of green tomatoes recently. Unfortunately, the surge actually means winter is nipping at our heels. A hard freeze that will put an end to tomato plants is on its way. So, farmers are bringing any unripe ‘maters to market now. Snap them up while you can; they’ll be gone by the end of the month.