ASAP's Weekly Farmers Market Report - July 16, 2021

Fresh at Farmers Markets

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Corn arrived at farmers tailgate markets especially early this year, thanks to an early planting gamble that paid off for Lee’s One Fortune Farm : [link removed]. You can get solid yellow or bicolor “peaches and cream” ears from the Lees now at ASAP : [link removed], Black Mountain : [link removed], West Asheville : [link removed], River Arts District : [link removed], and East Asheville : [link removed] markets. Expect other farms to have it ready in the next few weeks. 

Corn doesn’t need much fuss to enjoy. Some swear by boiling corn in salted water for the best flavor, while others prefer the smokiness from grilling. If shucking corn always feels like a hassle, try cooking it without removing the husks. You can do this in the microwave, oven, or steamer pot. Once the corn is cooked, the husks and silks slip off more easily and with less mess. When buying just-picked corn at the farmers market, you can also skip the cooking entirely, and eat your corn raw, right off the cob.

Want to take it up a notch? Chef J. Chong recommends rubbing cooked corn on the cob with butter and the chili oil she sells alongside her dumplings at ASAP, River Arts District, and East Asheville markets. Or pick up some local feta for a version of elote or Mexican street corn. Combine half a cup of crumbled feta with with a fourth cup each of mayonnaise, sour cream, and chopped cilantro. Season with chili powder and minced garlic. Use the mixture to coat grilled corn and squeeze lime juice over. (Find feta from Spinning Spider Creamery : [link removed] at North Asheville : [link removed] and River Arts District markets or Three Graces Dairy : [link removed] at ASAP, North Asheville, and West Asheville markets.) 

Peppers are starting to come in at markets now, too, so you’ve also got what you need for a great salsa. We like to combine raw corn kernels, anaheim peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onions, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice to top tacos, scrambled eggs, rice, or whatever else we’re eating. (Look for anaheim peppers from Flying Cloud Farm : [link removed] at North Asheville and River Arts District markets.) 

Or make a simple no-cook chilled basil-corn soup. Cut the kernels off of three or four ears of corn and place in a blender with half a cup of basil leaves, one and a half cups of buttermilk or milk, a spring onion or several scallions, one to two cloves of garlic, juice from half a lime, and a handful of ice cubes. Blend until very smooth, then season with salt and pepper to taste. If you want, you can strain through a sieve for a smoother soup. 

At farmers markets now you’ll also find blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, peaches, tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, summer squash, okra, green beans, new potatoes, carrots, microgreens, mushrooms and much more. Markets are also stocked with bread, cheese, pastries, drinks, and prepared foods. There are more than 100 farmers tailgate markets throughout the Appalachian Grown region. Find them, as well as farms and other local food businesses, in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide : [link removed].

Farms Announced for ASAP's
2021 Farm Tour

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22 farms will participate in ASAP's 2021 Farm Tour : [link removed], Sept. 18-19, 12-5 p.m. These farms represent some of the amazing diversity of agriculture happening in our region, from berries to livestock, vineyards to creameries, fiber to flowers. Stay tuned for more information about what each farm will offer in the Farm Tour guide, available online and at area businesses and community centers in mid-August. Passes ($35, good for all passengers in your vehicle) are on sale now : [link removed]. 
 
Barnardsville Cluster
Burley Stick Farm : [link removed], Barn Blossom : [link removed], Good Fibrations Angora Goats : [link removed]

Fairview/Fletcher Cluster
Flying Cloud Farm : [link removed], Hickory Nut Gap Farm : [link removed], Cane Creek Valley Farm : [link removed], Raspberry Fields : [link removed]

West Cluster
Smoking J’s Fiery Foods : [link removed], Sustainabillies/Two Trees Farm : [link removed], The Ten Acre Garden : [link removed], Smoky Mountain Mangalitsa : [link removed]

Leicester Cluster
Mount Gilead Farm : [link removed], Long Branch Environmental Education Center : [link removed], Addison Farms Vineyard : [link removed], Farm Retreat/Farmhouse Beef : [link removed], SAHC Community Farm: Blazing Star Flowers : [link removed] and Lunar Whale Herbs : [link removed]

Henderson/Transylvania Cluster
North River Farms : [link removed], Holly Spring Farm : [link removed], Pope Farms/Packa’s Place : [link removed], Sideways Farm & Brewery : [link removed], Clem’s Organic Gardens : [link removed] 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

7/24
Homegrown Dreams Online : [link removed]

7/26
Fall Organic Gardening Series : [link removed] Western NC Strawberry Pre-Plant Meeting : [link removed]
 
7/27
Racial Equity in Farm to School 2021 training series (virtual workshops) : [link removed]
 

7/31
NC Foothills Farm Tour: Looking Glass Creamery and C-Saw Hill : [link removed]
 

9/18-9/19
ASAP’s 2021 Farm Tour : [link removed]
 

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

Local Food &  Farm News

The Mountain Xpress : [link removed] ASAP's upcoming Farm Tour: “'The Farm Tour is such a great way for the community, from families to retirees, to connect with farms in the region,' says Sarah Hart, ASAP’s communications coordinator. Experiences, she notes, will range from visits with farm animals to learning growing techniques, observing fiber demonstrations and stopping at U-pick flower farms."

Two restaurants in Asheville were included on the Good Food 100 list. The Market Place and Posana were recognized for  their "dedication to supporting every link of the food chain, including the environment, farmers, workers and eaters," according to The Asheville Citizen Times : [link removed].



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

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