As the official start of winter grows closer and we ease into the holiday season, you’re likely planning to spend some quality time with friends and family! Whether you’re the one hosting or attending someone else’s holiday festivities, there’s plenty of sweet and savory treats available at farmers markets this week to connect you and your loved ones. A holiday smorgasbord is an easy and delicious way to showcase some locally made value-added products, including cheeses, cured meats, freshly baked bread, and plenty more artisan goods that will surely please any guest! 
 
Arguably the most important part of any charcuterie board is the cheese! So it’s a good thing that markets have a plethora of local cheese makers to add some unique flavors to your holiday gatherings this year. Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery (Asheville City and North Asheville markets) has a delicious assortment of artisan cheeses, including an sage alpine style cheese, a classic cheddar, their signature “Ridge Blue” cheese, and even a cheese made with espresso! Prefer goat cheese? Spinning Spider Creamery (North Asheville and River Arts District markets) offers a delicious rosemary fig chevre perfect for the holidays, or you can find a seasonal winter rum raisin chevre from Three Graces Dairy (North Asheville Tailgate Market). For the vegan or dairy-free guests, Darë Vegan Cheese offers a collection of plant-based cheeses like a balsamic fig wedge and smoked pimento dip that will make you forget there’s no dairy on your smorgasbord!
 
Pair those delicious cheeses with a loaf or two or some freshly baked bread from local bakers! Get perfectly baked sourdough loaves and baguettes from vendors like Madison Bread Company and Simple Bread (Asheville City and West Asheville markets). For gluten-free gatherings, look for Urban Peasants at River Arts District Farmers Market. 
 
A charcuterie board isn’t complete without a few cured meat selections. Hickory Nut Gap offers a selection at North Asheville Tailgate Market. For those who enjoy the flavors of fermented products, Serotonin Ferments offers pickled onions, as well as a variety of delicious sauerkrauts and kimchis. Hummus is an easy crowd favorite and you can find locally crafted red pepper spread from Sitto’s Hummus (North Asheville and River Arts District markets). Big Briar Botanicals (West Asheville market) also offers a variety of jams in flavors like mulberry, strawberry rhubarb, apple butter, wild grape, and more! Finish off your tray with a bit of black garlic or mushroom butter from Wild Goods (Asheville City Market).
 
At farmers markets now you’ll also find winter squash, apples, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, turnips, radishes, mushrooms, herbs, and greens like spinach, kale, and bok choy. Markets are also stocked with a variety of plants, 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.