ASAP’s Weekly Farmers Market Report - March 15, 2024

Fresh at Farmers Markets

: [link removed]
 


Spring officially arrives on Tuesday! Most farmers markets around the region have opening dates starting in April and May, but we’ll have a rundown of times and locations for Buncombe County markets within the coming weeks. Though we still have a few weeks before we see spring produce like asparagus, rhubarb, or strawberries at markets, the warmer weather, blooming trees, and returning bird songs definitely makes it feel like the seasons are finally turning!
 

Celebrate the Spring Equinox with a beautiful bouquet of locally grown flowers! Fresh flowers have started to make their way back to markets, with long-awaited seasonal blooms to add some color to your home! Find bunches of anemones and tulips from Carolina Flowers : [link removed] at Asheville City Market : [link removed] this Saturday. Blazing Star Flowers : [link removed] will return to the River Arts District Farmers Market : [link removed] as well next week with some beautiful multicolored anemones! We expect to see more flower farmers return to markets soon with varieties such as lilacs, ranunculus, bachelor buttons, and more! 
 

Now is the time to get started on any home gardening as well if you’re feeling inspired to grow some of your own food this season! Vendors have started to bring seedlings to markets, and soon farmers markets will be full of plant starts to get your homestead ready for the growing season. Find plant starts for veggies like kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage from vendors like Hogback Ridge Herb Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed]).
 

In the meantime, there’s still time to continue experimenting with some of the winter produce at markets—like fennel! The fresh, aromatic qualities and crisp texture of fennel makes it the perfect veggie to cook with as we move away from hearty winter recipes, and embrace the warmer temperatures and refreshing nature of spring. While most recipes call for just the bulb of fennel, all parts of the vegetable are edible, and can be enjoyed raw or cooked! One of the best ways to appreciate raw fennel is by simply shaving the bulb with a mandolin or culinary peeler, then lightly marinating it in a bit of lemon juice, olive oil, and sea salt. 
 

While eating fennel raw will allow it maintain the original crispness and distinct anise flavor, cooking the vegetable will alter the taste a bit. For those who may not enjoy fennel’s licorice-adjacent flavor, adding a bit of heat will make the vegetable a bit milder and sweeter, and soften its texture a bit as well. If you want to sauté fennel, try shaving it first then cooking with a bit of olive oil to create a delicious caramelized flavor. Fennel also tastes great when sliced into half inch wedges, tossed with a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper, then roasted at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes. You can find fennel from Highgate Farm : [link removed] (Asheville City and River Arts District markets) and Gaining Ground Farm : [link removed] (North Asheville Tailgate Market). 
 

Farmers markets now also have greens, broccoli, beets, sweet potatoes, radishes, cabbages, and more! Markets are also stocked with a variety, rice, pasta, pastries, drinks, and prepared foods. Find more details about farms and markets throughout the region, including winter hours, in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide : [link removed].

Connect with ASAP

: [link removed] : [link removed] : [link removed] : [link removed] 
appalachiangrown.org : [link removed] | asapconnections.org : [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.
 

: [link removed]

3/19
Restoring And Planting American Chestnuts : [link removed]
 

3/30
Beacon Spring Town Square : [link removed]

4/13
Introduction to Pollinators : [link removed]

4/19-4/20
Spring Plant Sale at Eliada Farms : [link removed]

4/19-4/21
Growing In The Mountains Spring Festival : [link removed]

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

Local Food and Farms in the News

WLOS : [link removed] tells a heartwarming story of community support for Wild East Farm in McDowell County, following significant damage to the farm's high tunnels due to wind. The farmers asked for assistance on Go Fund Me. “This is always a pinch point in the season for farmers, early in the spring time,” says co-owner Lyric East. “We were totally blown away that it was completely funded in six hours and then donations just kept coming in."



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

Subscribe to this newsletter:
[link removed]
Unsubscribe [email protected]:
[link removed]
Change your preferences:
[link removed]
Forward to a friend:
[link removed]
Report this email as spam:
[link removed]

This email was sent using MyNewsletterBuilder.com.