ASAP's Weekly Farmers Market Report - May 24, 2023

Fresh at Farmers Markets

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Sugar snap peas, a spring favorite of many, have returned to markets! Loved for their crunchy texture and sweet flavor, this legume can be incorporated into any recipe or meal this week. Our favorite way to enjoy snap peas is in this simple and refreshing salad with goat cheese. Trim and remove the strings of your snap peas, then boil for two to three minutes. Drain and let cool in some ice water. Remove peas from the ice water and transfer to a bowl, then sprinkle with goat cheese crumbles. Make your dressing by whisking together three tablespoons each of chopped mint and olive oil, one small finely chopped shallot, one tablespoon of lemon juice, half a teaspoon of salt, a quarter teaspoon of pepper, and one teaspoon each of lemon zest, dijon mustard, and honey. Pour the dressing over your peas, toss to coat, and enjoy! You can find sugar snap peas from Sleight Family Farm : [link removed] (North Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed]) and Gaining Ground Farm : [link removed](North Asheville and River Arts District : [link removed] markets). 

Snow peas are very similar to sugar snap peas, but generally have a less sweet, more mild flavor. They can be enjoyed raw, steamed, sautéed, or roasted! Our favorite is sautéing them in butter with sliced mushrooms and two tablespoons of broth. Cook for a few minutes until the broth evaporates, add some minced garlic to the pan, then enjoy! For some extra flavor, throw in a little soy sauce while cooking. You can find snow peas from Lee’s One Fortune Farm : [link removed] at Asheville City : [link removed], Black Mountain : [link removed], East Asheville : [link removed], River Arts District : [link removed], and West Asheville : [link removed] markets. 

We also saw English peas at market last week! While English peas share the sweet flavor of snow peas and sugar snap peas, they need to be removed from their shell before eating. This easy recipe combines some of our favorite spring produce! Start by trimming the tops of two or three stalks of green garlic, where the leaves begin to branch out, peel the outside layer of the stalks, then slice thinly on the bias. Cut two heads of little gem lettuce in quarters lengthwise, then brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the lettuce on a grill, or using a grill pan on a stovetop, and cook for five to six minutes, flipping halfway through. Bring a cup of water to a rolling boil, then add a cup and a half of shelled English peas, the prepared green garlic, a splash of olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Cook until the peas are tender, then add a handful of chopped mint leaves, and cook for another minute. To serve, spread the lettuce on a platter, then pour the peas and any juices in the pan over it. This delicious spring dish can be enjoyed by itself, or served alongside some grilled chicken or roast duck. You can find English peas from Gaining Ground Farm at North Asheville and River Arts District markets. Gaining Ground also has green garlic and Ivy Creek Family Farm : [link removed] (North Asheville and Weaverville : [link removed] markets) has little gem lettuce.

At farmers markets now you’ll also find strawberries, carrots, turnips, beets, radishes, mushrooms, and greens like lettuce, kale, spinach, broccoli rabe, and bok choy. Markets are also stocked with a variety of plant starts, meats, cheese, rice, pasta, bread, pastries, drinks, and prepared foods. Find more details about farms and markets throughout the region in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide : [link removed].

Connect with Us

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appalachiangrown.org : [link removed] | fromhere.org : [link removed]
asapconnections.org : [link removed] | growing- : [link removed] : [link removed]
 
Donate to support local food, strong farms, and healthy communities today! : [link removed]
 
ASAP's mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food.

Upcoming Events

5/27
Chicken Processing Volunteer Opportunity : [link removed] Plant Sale : [link removed]
 

6/3
9th Annual EmpTea Bowls : [link removed]

6/4
Farm to Fork Picnic : [link removed]

6/24
Good Fields: An Appalachian Food and Farms Festival : [link removed]

Find upcoming events (or post your own) at
asapconnections.org : [link removed].

News from ASAP

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Job and Volunteer Opportunities
ASAP is currently hiring for three full-time positions: Local Food Campaign Program Coordinator, Farm Fresh for Health Program Coordinator, and Research and Evaluation Coordinator. Find out more about each of these jobs and application details. : [link removed]

We are also looking for volunteers to help with our Farm Fresh for Health activities at farmers markets this summer. We have dates in June and July, at markets throughout the week. Get more information and sign up. : [link removed]

Interested in other volunteer opportunities? Join our volunteer list : [link removed] to get updates about opportunities and chances to connect with local food and farms.

Local Food and Farm News

The Laurel of Asheville : [link removed] featured farmers markets opening for the season, talking to vendors like Chue and Tou Lee of Lee's One Fortune Farm and Jake Puckett of Crow Fly Farm as well as ASAP about the Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables and Farm Fresh Produce Prescription programs. Sarah Hart, ASAP Communications Manager, said,“Participants have talked about how shopping at farmers markets makes them feel more connected to the community. “Parents have told us their kids are better eaters if they’re part of the process of picking out vegetables at markets.”

Mother Earth News : [link removed] includes a column by Robert Turner about changes to agriculture as demand for corn in the form of ethanol is reduced. He cites the tobacco buyout and ASAP's work in Western North Carolina as an example and possible model. 
What came out of these conversations was the "The passionate ASAP champions convinced farmers to grow fruits and vegetables while at the same time lobbying local restaurants and grocers to purchase their products. From 2002 to 2012, the former burley-dependent counties saw a 98% increase in the number of farms growing vegetables, melons, potatoes, and sweet potatoes."



ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) - 306 W. Haywood Street - Asheville - NC - 28801

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