ASAP's Weekly Farmers Market Report - October 11, 2019
Fresh at Farmers Markets
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It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the multitude of apple varieties on offer at farmers tailgate markets each autumn. Some are better for baking, some for snacking. Maybe you prefer a sweeter apple or something more tart. Maybe you know you’ve tasted the perfect apple before, but you can’t remember what it was called. How do you choose? Well, apart from asking the farmer’s advice (which is always a good first step), you might consider throwing together an apple taste test.
Many growers will sell quarter peck bags (about eight or nine apples) of mixed varieties that come out to be cheaper than buying individually. Make your selections, label them (sticky notes will work, as long as the apples aren’t shifting around too much in the bag), and gather a few family members, co-workers, friends, or students to sample slices. You can vote on favorites or arrange according to sweetness—but don’t forget to take notes!
At a recent taste test at the ASAP office we sampled about a dozen varieties. Swiss Gourmet was an all-around favorite, straddling the sweet-tart line and rendering a juicy crunch. The pale green Golden Delicious also made a balanced sweet-tart choice, and the ones harvested now have a nice crispness, though it will get softer later in the season. At the sweeter end of things were the Pinova (with honeyed, tropical flavor and satisfying crispness), Jonathan, and Jonagold (a cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious). York apples have a funny oblong shape and were mildly tart with just a hint of sweetness, and pleasantly crisp. Stayman, often used in cider-making, also fell on the tart side of the spectrum.
Vendors selling apples at area farmers tailgate markets include B&L Organic : [link removed] (North Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed], West Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed]), Creasman Farms : [link removed] (Asheville City Market : [link removed], Black Mountain Tailgate Market : [link removed], North Asheville Tailgate Market, River Arts District Farmers Market : [link removed]), Long Valley Eco-Biotic : [link removed] (West Asheville Tailgate Market), Lyda Farms : [link removed] (Weaverville Tailgate Market : [link removed]), McConnell Farms : [link removed] (Asheville City Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market), and Thatchmore Farm : [link removed] (North Asheville Tailgate Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market).
In other market news, we spotted the fall’s first broccoli and cauliflower this past week. You’ll also find winter squash, pears, grapes, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, garlic, salad greens, kale, chard, and more.
Area farmers tailgate markets take place throughout the region. As always, you can find information about farms, tailgate markets, and farm stands, including locations and hours, by visiting ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org : [link removed].
Crunch with North Carolina!
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October is National Farm to School Month and schools across North Carolina celebrate with the NC Crunch : [link removed]. But you don’t have to be a student or an educator to participate! Anyone can join in by crunching into a locally grown apple at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 23 (or another day during the month of October). Join the fun!
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
10/12
: [link removed] Dreams: Design & Plan for Living on Your Land : [link removed]
Trial to Table: A Utopian Seed Project Fundraising Feast : [link removed]
10/14/19-9/14/20
Farm Beginnings Year long Farmer Training course : [link removed]
10/15
Madison County Garden Club : [link removed]
10/16
Pasture Pork Workshop : [link removed]
10/19
: [link removed] Farm Day: Venezia Farm : [link removed]
Bears Bees + Brews : [link removed]
Southeast Highland Cattle Auction : [link removed]
10/23
North Carolina Crunch : [link removed]
10/29
Halloween Pet Parade at West Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed]
Thru 11/4
Food: The Unlimited Palate : [link removed]
20 percent of proceeds from the Red House Gallery art exhibition will support ASAP's programs.
View the full calendar : [link removed] of events.
ASAP on the Air
Tune in for the second part of Tou and Chue Lee's journey from the jungles of Laos to their rice fields in Morganton, NC, on this week's Growing Local rerun : [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 & Farms in the News
Edible Asheville's fall issue delves into the farmer-chef connection : [link removed] between Evan Chender (The Culinary Gardener) and Matt Dawes (Bull & Beggar).
The same issue also takes a look at cheesemakers and dairy farms : [link removed] Spinning Spider Creamery and English Farmstead Cheese.
Women are leading the way : [link removed] in local fermenting businesses, writes the Mountain Xpress.
WLOS joined students at Avery's Creek Elementary : [link removed] for their NC Crunch to kick off National Farm to School Month.
Organic Growers School's Lee Warren looks at hunger and health outcomes : [link removed] in North Carolina and how it relates to farming for the Mountain Xpress.
ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) - 306 W. Haywood Street - Asheville - NC - 28801
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