ASAP's Weekly Farmers Market Report - May 22, 2020

Fresh at Farmers Markets

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With Memorial Day weekend and a possible break in the rain, your grill may be calling to you. As Phase 2 of the state’s reopening approaches, it might even feel safe enough to grill up a few burgers and brats for someone other than yourself and immediate family members, especially if you’re dining outside. No matter how you decide to enjoy the holiday, farmers tailgate markets have what you need. (Remember that even as the city and state progress through planned phases of reopening, it’s important to continue precautions like wearing a mask and maintaining a six-foot distance from others when you shop at markets.)
 

Most spring veggies, rubbed with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and maybe some chopped herbs, grill up beautifully. Try whole spring onions from Green Toe Ground : [link removed] and Mighty Gnome Market Garden : [link removed] (both at ASAP Farmers Market : [link removed] Saturday) or Full Sun Farm : [link removed] Ivy Creek Family Farm : [link removed] (both at North Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed]; Full Sun also at River Arts District Farmers Market : [link removed] and Ivy Creek also at Weaverville Tailgate Market : [link removed]). The time for asparagus is fleeting, but you should still be able to get it from McConnell Farms : [link removed] (NATM, WATM) or Root Bottom Farm : [link removed] (WATM). Hakurei turnips (the small white ones, also called salad turnips) and radishes are available from numerous produce vendors. You can grill both in foil packets or on skewers to get that charred skin.

 

What about fruit? You can grill strawberries too! These are great drizzled with balsamic for a salad, as a secret ingredient in your barbecue sauce, or just enjoyed over ice cream. Threading the berries on water-soaked skewers will make grilling a bit easier. Find strawberries from Bear Necessities Farm : [link removed] (ASAP Farmers Market Saturdays and WATM), Full Sun Farm, Ivy Creek Family Farm, and McConnell Farm, among others.
 

Just want some grill-ready meats? Here’s a quick rundown of what you can find at each market: On Saturdays at the ASAP Farmers Market, Dry Ridge Farm : [link removed] has a wide assortment of sausage, pork ribs, chops, steaks, brisket, and more. Hickory Nut Gap Farm : [link removed] has beef, pork, and chicken products at North Asheville Tailgate Market, where you can also find lamb from Grassroots Farm & Dairy : [link removed]. At Black Mountain Tailgate Market : [link removed], look for chicken and lamb from Sugar Hollow Farms : [link removed]. On Tuesdays at West Asheville Farmers Market : [link removed], you have another chance to shop from Dry Ridge and Grassroots Farm & Dairy. On Wednesdays at the River Arts District Farmers Market, try the specialty Belted Galloway beef from Headshrink Farm or take another opportunity to stock up from Dry Ridge. You can also pick up beef and pork from Dillingham Family Farm : [link removed] at Weaverville Tailgate Market. And on Thursdays, find Headshrink Farm again at Enka-Candler Tailgate Market : [link removed] or grab pork sausages from Cove Creek Farm : [link removed] at the ASAP Farmers Market.
 

If gardening is on your agenda, markets still have lots of plant starts like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and squash. You’ll find also find plenty of greens as well as eggs, cheese, bread and baked goods, honey, ferments, and more.
 

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 : [link removed].

Announcing the Appalachian Farms Feeding Families Program

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The Appalachian Farms Feeding Families : [link removed] program gets fresh, healthy food to people who need it—while also fairly compensating farmers. Our communities are facing unprecedented challenges right now, with many families struggling to access fresh foods. Farms in our region are entering the time of year where production is high, but many have lost market outlets with restaurant closures or reduction of service. The Appalachian Farms Feeding Families program facilitates direct connections between farms and relief efforts that might not otherwise be logistically feasible.

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.

ASAP on the Air

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The closure of multiple farmers markets prompted ASAP to create a new outdoor market in a matter of days. Hear how the market operates and why it’s more important than ever to support the local food system

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

Food donations by farms are among the community aid helping WNC food banks meet challenges : [link removed], according this article in the Mountain Xpress.

As bars and restaurants have temporarily reimagined themselves as grocers : [link removed], some are providing another outlet to purchase local food from farms, The Asheville Citizen-Times reports. 

The price of meat in our country doesn't reflect the cost of producing it, and some shoppers may experience sticker shock buying from local farms. Meredith Leigh has some suggestions : [link removed] in the Mountain Xpress.



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

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