ASAP's Weekly Farmers Market Report - May 8, 2020

Fresh at Farmers Markets

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Mother’s Day is Sunday and fresh cut, local flowers are bringing a riot of color to farmers tailgate markets right now—peonies, ranunculus, sweet William, bachelor’s buttons, and even poppies. Pick up a bouquet for the mothers you’re social distancing with or buy some for yourself and send a picture to far away moms. We think she’ll still appreciate the gesture. Find bouquets Saturday morning at ASAP Farmers Market at A-B Tech from Carolina Flowers : [link removed] and Lee’s One Fortune Farm : [link removed] or at North Asheville Tailgate Market from Full Sun Farm : [link removed].
 

Lettuces and dark, leafy greens are abundant at markets in the springtime, but some farmers also offer more unusual options alongside spinach and kale or among the salad mixes. These greens may be grown or foraged and can offer some variety to your braises or salads. Bear Necessities Farm : [link removed] (ASAP Farmers Market on Saturdays and West Asheville Tailgate Market) and Thatchmore Farm : [link removed] (North Asheville Tailgate Market and West Asheville Tailgate Market) both have miner’s lettuce. Sometimes called winter purslane, this succulent is prized for adding crunchy texture, mild, sweet flavor, and host of vitamins to your plate. No need to cook it—just add salad dressing and a bit of goat cheese or tuck the leaves into a sandwich.
 

Sochan is another nontraditional green, also available from Thatchmore Farm. This native perennial is a hallmark of spring among the Cherokee, but not as well known as other foraged finds like ramps or morels. It's best blanched and sautéed (preferably in fatback) and tastes wholly unique, although comparisons can be made to dandelion greens, spinach, or echinacea.
 

You’ll find even more strawberries (from Bear Necessities, Full Sun, and Lee’s One Fortune, as well as Ivy Creek Family Farm : [link removed] at Weaverville Tailgate Market) and asparagus (from Root Bottom Farm : [link removed] and McConnell Farms : [link removed], both at West Asheville Tailgate Market) than in weeks past. Act quick and you might score English cucumbers from Headwaters Market Garden : [link removed] (ASAP Farmers Market on Saturdays). And you can expect to find leeks, spring onions, radishes, turnips, broccoli rabe, pea shoots, and more. Markets also have plant starts, meat, eggs, cheese, bread, honey, beverages, ferments, and prepared foods.
 

For a full list of markets open throughout the region, visit asapconnections.org : [link removed]. Find contact information and more details about the region’s farms and farmers markets in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org : [link removed].

Vote for the Best of WNC

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The Mountain Xpress extended the voting deadline for its annual Best of WNC Awards : [link removed] until May 20 this year. Are there farmers, markets, or local food businesses that you think have gone above and beyond this year? Show 'em a little love with a vote!

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

Information below may have been submitted to ASAP prior to COVID-19. Please check with event organizers directly to confirm.
 

5/9
Keyline Design : [link removed]
 

5/16
Mills River Farmer’s Market Opening Day : [link removed]
 

View the full calendar : [link removed] of events.

ASAP on the Air

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Countless farms in Western North Carolina changed their business models when the COVID-19 crisis hit. Hear how Dry Ridge Farm is selling pastured meat and eggs directly to consumers as restaurant sales decline on this week's Growing Local : [link removed].
 

You can listen to all
Growing Local episodes on SoundCloud : [link removed], iTunes : [link removed], or on ASAP's website : [link removed].

Local Food & Farm News

The Asheville Citizen-Times wrote about how farms like Sunburst Trout and Brasstown Beef have been hit hard : [link removed] and how ASAP's Appalachian Grown Farmer Immediate Needs Grants are starting to go out to give farmers some support.

The Citizen-Times also talked to school nutrition directors about how they are getting meals to thousands of kids and others in need : [link removed], including insight from ASAP's Charlie Jackson.

Capital at Play delved into the history and evolution of Sunburst Trout : [link removed] in a feature story.

Also featured in Capital at Play was Carolina Flowers and its shift to delivering groceries : [link removed] during the pandemic. The article quotes stats from ASAP's Local Food Research Center report : [link removed].

WLOS talked to Imladris Farm : [link removed] about their call for donations to wipe out restaurants' outstanding invoices.



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

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