We’ll see a few more farmers markets opening in Buncombe County in the next two weeks, though others have announced delays. Set to open Saturday, May 2, are North Asheville Tailgate Market at UNC Asheville and Black Mountain Tailgate Market. Enka-Candler Tailgate Market will begin Thursday, May 7, at a new location at the A-B Tech Small Business Center at 1465 Sand Hill Rd. in Enka. East Asheville Tailgate Market and Riverside Tailgate Market have both delayed openings and Asheville City Market’s downtown and south locations remain closed. Find a full list of which markets are open throughout the region.
Ramps are up in force, and even if you haven’t been able to find a socially distant foraging spot, a few vendors at farmers tailgate markets have them. We spotted ramps from Myseanica Family Farm at the ASAP Farmers Market at A-B Tech on Thursdays. These are sustainably harvested, which means that the roots are left in the ground, ensuring plenty of ramps in the wild for years to come.
How best to enjoy your ramps? If you’re ready to attempt some quarantine bread baking, we suggest a ramp focaccia. There are plenty of recipes to choose from, but just make sure you have flour, yeast, olive oil, salt, and honey or sugar on hand. You can thinly slice your ramps and work them into the dough or spread them on top of the dough once you’ve stretched it out to bake. Enjoy with a spring salad of pea shoots, shaved radishes, carrots, and crumbly goat cheese, all also available at markets now.
You may spot other fleeting spring produce, like asparagus and pea shoots, at markets now, as well as plenty of salad mix and head lettuces, herbs, and leafy greens like spinach, kale, and mustards. Markets also have plenty of meat and eggs to stock up on, as well as bread, cheese, ferments, beverages, and prepared foods.
Plant starts are abundant, including warm weather vegetables like tomatoes and peppers, as well as herbs, culinary flowers, and much more. In addition to the regular farmers market vendors selling plant starts, the 15th annual A-B Tech Plant Sale will join the ASAP Farmers Market on Thursday, April 30, selling an assortment of vegetable, herb, and flower plants.
Contact details for farms and farmers markets across the region, as well as links to social media where the most up-to-date information is often posted, can be found in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide.
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Grants for Farmers & Markets
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ASAP's mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food.
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The COVID-19 crisis is threatening the stability of local farms. Hear how ASAP is working to support farmers and build a resilient food system with the Appalachian Grown Farmer Relief Fund on this week's Growing Local.
You can listen to all
Growing Local episodes on SoundCloud, iTunes, or on ASAP's website.
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ASAP's Molly Nicholie was on Asheville FM and WLOS, speaking about the impact of COVID-19 on the region's farmers, and what ASAP is doing to support them.
The Laurel of Asheville has a column by Robert Turner about the importance of CSAs during crises like the present one.
The Mountain Xpress writes about farmers working with hunger programs in two articles: Donated CSA shares through Gaining Ground and Flying Cloud Farm are helping to feed the community through Southside Kitchen and Apple Brandy Beef and Hickory Nut Gap partnering with Wicked Weed Brewing.
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