ASAP’s Weekly Farmers Market Report - December 13, 2024

Fresh at Farmers Markets

As we inch closer to the holidays and the official start of the winter season, we are drawn to gather around hearths and heartwarming stories, crafts and bright candles, music and mulled beverages, and, of course, nourishing meals. Whether you’re the one hosting a gathering or attending someone else’s holiday festivities, there are plenty of sweet and savory treats available at farmers markets this week to nurture and connect you and your loved ones.

Wow your friends and family with a vibrant, delicious, and locally sourced charcuterie board! A holiday smorgasbord is an easy and delicious way to showcase some locally made, value-added products including cheeses, cured meats, freshly baked bread, jams and jellies, along with still available fresh produce.

Did someone say cheese? Arguably one of the most important ingredients of a charcuterie board, find a plethora of local cheese makers at farmers tailgate markets. Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery : [link removed] (North Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed]) has a delicious assortment of artisan cheeses, including a classic cheddar, their signature “Ridge Blue” cheese, and even a cheese made with espresso! Find creameries upholding long standing traditions of raising their own herd for cheesemaking like Looking Glass Creamery : [link removed] at West Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed] and Lane in the Woods : [link removed] at the Weaverville Tailgate Market : [link removed]. Prefer farm raised goat or sheep cheese? Spinning Spider Creamery : [link removed] offers a delicious rosemary fig chevre perfect for the holidays and Three Graces Dairy : [link removed] has a seasonal winter rum raisin chevre from. Find them both at North Asheville and River Arts District : [link removed] markets. Grassroots Farm and Dairy : [link removed] (North Asheville and West Asheville markets) offers a variety of soft sheep cheeses. For the pimento lovers, find a variety of classic and seasonal pimento cheese dips from Ali Rae Foods : [link removed] at North Asheville and River Arts District markets. For the vegan or dairy-free guests, Darë Vegan Cheese : [link removed] (North Asheville) 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! Get perfectly baked sourdough loaves and baguettes from vendors like Simple Bread : [link removed] (Asheville City : [link removed] and West Asheville markets) and High Top Bread Co : [link removed] (Asheville City, North Asheville, and Weaverville markets). For gluten-free gatherings, look for Urban Peasants : [link removed] at River Arts District Farmers Market.
 

A charcuterie board isn’t complete without some umami and a few cured meat selections. Hickory Nut Gap : [link removed] offers a selection of salami and sopressata and Sunburst Trout : [link removed] offers a selection of rainbow trout products like hickory smoked dip, cold smoked filets, and jerky. For those who enjoy the flavors of fermented products, Serotonin Ferments : [link removed] (North Asheville, West Asheville, and River Arts District markets) and Fermenti : [link removed]. (Weaverville Tailgate Market) offer a variety of delicious sauerkrauts and kimchis. Hummus is an easy crowd favorite that you can find locally crafted and in a variety of flavors from Sitto’s Hummus : [link removed] (North Asheville and River Arts District markets).
 

To add a little sweetness or freshness to your board, Windy Hollow : [link removed] (Weaverville Tailgate Market) and Imladris : [link removed] (North Asheville) offer a variety of jams, jellies, and apple butters. Find fresh fruit to slice onto your charcuterie board, like apples and persimmons, from vendors like McConnell Farms (North Asheville Tailgate Market) and Creasman Farms : [link removed] (Asheville City and North Asheville markets). Add a pop of color and freshness with sliced carrots and pink or purple daikon radishes from Wild East Farm : [link removed] (North Asheville and River Arts District markets) and New Roots Market Garden : [link removed] (North Asheville Tailgate Market). Get creative and arrange your charcuterie fixings to wow your guests and finish off your board with some fresh herb sprigs and some beautiful handcrafted pottery.

This week ahead marks your last chance to shop at Asheville City Market (Dec. 14) and all weekday farmers markets before the end of the year. West Asheville will finish their season on Tuesday, Dec. 17, followed by Weaverville and River Arts District markets on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The North Asheville and Black Mountain markets will host their last markets on Dec. 21.

Also spotted at markets in recent weeks: winter squash, carrots, beets, mixed greens, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, kale, chard, collards, radishes, microgreens, mushrooms, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and scallions. Markets offer an abundance of farm-fresh eggs and meats, including chicken, pork, beef, and lamb. You can also get bread, cheese, pastries, fermented products, drinks, and prepared foods. Find more details about farms and markets throughout the region, including hours and location, in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org : [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]

2/22
ASAP's Business of Farming Conference : [link removed]
 

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

Local Food & Farm News

Members of Tierra Fértil Cooperative by Camilla Calnan Photography : [link removed]


Big news and big moves are happening for Hispanic owned agricultural cooperative, Tierra Fértil! While the co-op suffered significant damage to their fields due to flooding from Helene, two months later they have secured land in Leicester. 

According to an article by Patricia Seranno with Enlace Latino NC : [link removed], acquiring this land for their farm will not only keep them planting and growing, "but also deepen their commitment to economic development and social justice in the region."

Tierra Fértil Cooperative members are leaning on hope for the future with their plans to "to ensure that future generations of farmers of color can preserve this agricultural heritage that heals and liberates us."



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

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