monthly news from ASAP    |   APRIL 2021    |    asapconnections.org

The 2021 Local Food Guide Is Here!

The 2021 Local Food Guide, ASAP’s annual free publication for finding local food and farms, is out now! Look for it at farmers markets, visitors centers, libraries, grocery stores, restaurants, and other local businesses. Copies are also available to pick up at ASAP’s office : [link removed], which is open Monday to Thursday, noon to 4 p.m. View a digital version of the print Guide here. : [link removed]
 

The Guide offers hundreds of listings for farms, farmers markets, restaurants, groceries, artisan producers, and travel destinations. There are also charts for finding farms offering u-pick, farm stands, lodging, visitor activities, and CSAs. Stories in this year’s Guide feature The AppaLatin Farmstead : [link removed], Colfax Creek Farm : [link removed], Headwaters Market Garden : [link removed], Kituwah Farm, New Roots Market Garden : [link removed], and TK Family Farm : [link removed]. The cover image, taken by Claudia Laffin, pictures squash blossoms at Terra Lingua Growers : [link removed].
 

In addition to the print Guide, ASAP updates the online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org : [link removed] throughout the year. This database, including 1,350 listings, is searchable by products, locations, activities, and more.
 

The 2021 Local Food Guide is made possible with support from the USDA, Buncombe County Strategic Partnership fund, The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, Pisgah Health Foundation, and Asheville Regional Airport.



Growing Minds Spring Mini-Grant Recipients
: [link removed] Minds is excited to provide nine spring farm to school mini-grants : [link removed] to preschool and elementary schools. A Head Start class at WCCA Dana Children's Center in Henderson County will use funding for a virtual farm tour of Bearwallow Valley Farm : [link removed]. A pre-K class at Mt. Pleasant Elementary in Wilkes County received a Farm to School Children's Literature Mini-Grant. School Garden Mini-Grants went to Black Mountain Montessori, Irene Wortham Center Pre-K, Shalom Children's Center/Asheville JCC Pre-K, and Verner Center for Early Learning in Buncombe County; TC Henderson Elementary Pre-K and WCCA Dana Children's Center in Henderson County; and WCCA Main Street Children's Center Pre-K in Transylvania County.
 

Resources funded by these mini-grants will be used to teach a variety of subjects and skills, including science and STEM, social emotional learning, language development, fine motor skills, nutrition, cooking, and more. We're proud to partner and support the work of these educators!



Farm Fresh Prescription Pilot at ASAP Farmers Market

Social environments significantly impact food choices and are a crucial intervention point to increase healthy eating. Farmers markets naturally offer environments that encourage fresh and seasonal fruit and vegetable consumption, whole foods, cooking at home, and eating together with friends and family.

As part of its Farm Fresh for Health initiative, ASAP is piloting a Farm Fresh Prescription program beginning in May. Participating physicians can prescribe a farmers market visit to their patients. Patients redeem their prescription at ASAP Farmers Market : [link removed] and receive $10 to spend at the market (with seven “refills,” for a total of $80). The prescription incentive provides healthcare providers with action steps that fit within the healthcare process. Six physicians from two practices in Asheville (The Family Health Centers : [link removed] and Lantern Health : [link removed]) will participate in the 2021 pilot. (An earlier pilot, begun in January of 2020, was interrupted by the pandemic.) We plan to expand the program to include additional markets and health practices in the future.



Job Opening: Bookkeeper
ASAP is seeking a full-time, entry-level bookkeeper to join our team. The bookkeeper will record financial transactions, maintain financial records, fact check financial data, and update financial statements. The bookkeeper will also provide assistance as needed to program reporting, budgeting, and coordination. Qualifications include a working knowledge of QuickBooks Online, Excel, and Google Workspace, with a minimum of two years accounting or finance experience or education. Read the full job description and application instructions here. : [link removed] Applications will be accepted by email only. Do not call or come by the office.



FACES OF LOCAL
Carol Griffith

: [link removed] likes to share the stories of people who help us fulfill our mission. This month we talk with Carol Griffith, manager of Ashe County Farmers Market : [link removed] in West Jefferson. The market will open May 1 and run Saturday mornings through October.
 

What are you looking forward to for the Ashe County Farmers Market this season?
 

I am looking forward to seeing all my vendors again and all the fresh vegetables and beautiful flowers.

Our market is also doing something a little different this year. Our bylaws state that we have to meet the 60/40 rule of farmers versus crafters. In past years, we were unable to accept new crafters [to keep this ratio]. This year we have decided to hold a special Arts and Craft Expo the second Saturday of each month, June to October. With the pandemic, so many festivals, etc., had to be canceled. Many artists felt that hit in their pocketbooks. Hopefully this will be a way to help them make some income. I have had an overwhelming amount of crafters who have signed up for this! I think it will bring more customers in too. 
What types of produce and other local products should people expect this spring?
 

Lots of leafy greens, herbs, fresh asparagus, early garlic, ramps, and starter plants for the garden. 
We will probably start the market with about 20 vendors [of 47 regular vendors] since the growing season starts a little later here. Most vendors will be at the market by June. 

Do you have favorite seasonal recipes or meals for this time of year?
 

My family loves asparagus and big fresh salads. A favorite recipe for asparagus is to roast it in the oven with garlic and olive oil drizzled over it.

Ashe County Farmers Market is offering Double Up Food Bucks again for 2021. How have you seen the program affect the community?
 

Yes, Ashe County Farmers Market is offering Double Up Bucks for SNAP again for 2021 and thanks to RAFI, we will also be able to offer Double UP for WIC and Senior FMNP Coupons this year. We are very excited about that! We saw some uptick with the SNAP Double Up Bucks program last year but I feel like it will be stronger this year as more and more people get their vaccines and feel more comfortable in coming out to the market.

How is the market continuing to respond to COVID-19?
 
We are opening the market the same as last year. We will require all customers and vendors to wear a face covering while at the market. We will ask people to social distance where possible. We have marked off our market to "one way" and we will use caution tape around the market to try to move people to the entrance. I greet everyone that comes in and offer a squirt of hand sanitizer if they choose to take it. If our vendors offer samples, they will be in closed containers for customers to take off site to eat.    All of our vendors and most of our customers last year were very thankful that we were taking great precautions to try to keep everyone safe. I feel like most people will feel the same this year. At least I hope so! I will say that even though 2020 was a pandemic year, we had about 5,000 more customers visit our market than we did in 2019! Many of our vendors reported that it was their best year for sales, too. Who would have thought?

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Snow Pea, Asparagus & Radish Salad

 

Ingredients:
1 cup snow peas, stems snapped and strings removed1 bunch French breakfast or red ball radishes, tops removed1 bunch asparagus2 tablespoons olive oil1 tablespoon lemon juice2 tablespoons tarragon leaves (or more, to taste)1 preserved lemon*salt and pepperDirections:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch asparagus until just tender, about 3 minutes. Place in ice water to stop cooking. Repeat with snow peas.Cut asparagus into 1/2-inch pieces. Slice snow peas thinly on the bias. Thinly slice radishes. Thinly slice preserved lemon rind into strips. Toss vegetables with olive oil, lemon juice, tarragon, preserved lemon, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately. *Locally made preserved lemon can be found from some fermenters and artisan producers. You can also make your own : [link removed] if you plan in advance (it takes about 3 to 4 weeks). If you can't find preserved lemon, it's fine to omit. You may want to add a bit more lemon juice.

PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT
: [link removed]
 
April's photo of the month comes from Rippetoe Farm : [link removed], taken by Sydney Gail Photography : [link removed]. Buying directly from farmers at farmers markets or farm stands gives you the opportunity to ask about production practices and find products that reflect your values. You can also use the online Local Food Guide : [link removed] to search for farms or products by growing practices like Animal Welfare Approved, Pasture Raised, Certified Naturally Grown, organic, and more.

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

ASAP in the News
ASAP was interviewed for this Mountain Xpress article : [link removed] on tailgate markets opening, reflecting on the start of the 2020 market season compared to the current season.
 
WLOS visited ASAP Farmers Market : [link removed]- for the opening of the spring season and talked to market manager Kate Hanford. 
 
Chef J Chong : [link removed] was featured in the Asheville Citizen Times after donating sales of her dumplings at ASAP Farmers Market to organizations working against anti-Asian violence. 
 
BlueRidgeNow.com offered a rundown of markets in Henderson County : [link removed] and featured the Double SNAP offerings at Hendersonville Farmers Market and Mills River Farm Market.



ASAP on the Air
: [link removed]’s Growing Local audio series runs on WNCW : [link removed] on Monday mornings during Morning Edition at 8:45 a.m. Here are a few recent episodes: 
 

Farm Stands for Fun and Flavor : [link removed]
Kituwah Farm Honors and Sustains Cherokee Agriculture : [link removed]
Chef J Chong Finds Inspiration at Spring Farmers Markets : [link removed] Food Research Reflects Challenges and Opportunities of Farming During the Pandemic : [link removed] can listen to all Growing Local episodes on SoundCloud : [link removed], iTunes : [link removed], or on ASAP's website : [link removed].



CONNECT WITH US
: [link removed] : [link removed] : [link removed] : [link removed] : [link removed] 

asapconnections.org : [link removed] | growing-minds.org : [link removed]
appalachiangrown.org : [link removed] | fromhere.org : [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 (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) - 306 W. Haywood Street - Asheville - NC - 28801

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