ASAP's Weekly Farmers Market Report - June 10, 2021

Fresh at Farmers Markets

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Cherries have made their way to farmers markets this week! Better get there fast to have a taste of these deliciously tart treats, as they will be around for only a few more weeks! While cherries are just as enjoyable by themselves, if you have enough extras, there are plenty of ways to incorporate these into your cooking. Look for cherries from Bright Branch Farms at East Asheville Tailgate Market : [link removed], Lyda Farms at Weaverville Tailgate Market : [link removed], as well as McConnell Farms : [link removed] selling at North : [link removed] and West Asheville : [link removed] markets this week. 

We’re also seeing a lot more new produce at market this week, including new potatoes, baby fennel, summer squash, kohlrabi, garlic scapes, spring onions, and more! Make use of some of these alongside cherries with this easy cherry relish.

Start your relish by finely chopping one heaping cup of cherries (make sure you remove the pits beforehand), half cup baby fennel, a third cup celery, and a fourth cup of scallions or spring onions. Combine the chopped ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. You can find baby fennel from Olivette Farms : [link removed] (Asheville City Market : [link removed]) and Seven Seeds Farm : [link removed] (Weaverville and East Asheville markets). If you’re low on time, add these ingredients to a food processor and pulse. If you have a little more time, chopping these yourself will create the best texture for the relish. Place the chopped ingredients in a large bowl and mix in one tablespoon of honey, two teaspoons of orange zest, one teaspoon of fresh orange juice, two teaspoons of red wine vinegar, one teaspoon of lemon juice, and some black pepper to taste. Lick Log Branch Apiaries has a delicious wildflower honey sold at the River Arts District Farmers Market : [link removed]. Stir gently to combine the ingredients. 

Enjoy with your dish of choice! We recommend serving the relish with some grilled pork chops from Dry Ridge Farm : [link removed], which can be found at North Asheville and Asheville City markets. If you want to use this relish as an appetizer or snack, pair with a slice of toasted bread and a smear of goat cheese. OWL Bakery has the perfect sourdough to pair with this relish, sold at North Asheville Tailgate Market. 

At farmers markets now you’ll also find a variety of produce such as carrots, cucumbers, radishes, turnips, broccoli, cauliflower, and mushrooms. Also look out for greens like lettuce, arugula, chard, kale, spinach, bok choy, and mustard greens. Markets are stocked with a variety of meats, cheese, rice, pasta, bread, drinks, and prepared foods. Find more details about farms and markets throughout the region in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org : [link removed].

2021 Appalachian Grown Producer Survey Report

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Every year ASAP's Local Food Research Center sends a survey farmers in our Appalachian Grown network in order to take the pulse of farming in our region and assess the impact of ASAP's programs and services. Read the report from the 2021 survey here. : [link removed] primary theme in this year’s survey responses was the lasting influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Farmers cited difficulty with sourcing equipment and supplies due to disrupted supply chains. Production costs increased. Labor was a significant challenge as many farmers had difficulty finding and hiring workers.Luckily, market opportunities and sales rebounded in 2021. Multiple respondents noted reconnecting with restaurants. Farmers market access was reported as being more stable than the previous year. Consumer interest in local foods continued its upward trend. Nearly half of farmers surveyed reported higher sales in 2021 than in 2020.

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

6/11
Garden & Rabbit Play Date – Kids Event : [link removed]
 

The Making of a Meadow for Pollinators : [link removed]

6/25
Farm Fresh for Health Regional Symposium at Winding Stair Farm : [link removed]

6/28
Grower Buyer Meeting : [link removed]
 Find more upcoming events (or post your own) at asapconnections.org : [link removed].

Local Food &  Farm News

Well Seasoned Table, a Candler-based company that grows, blends and packages herbs and seasonings, is a 2022 recipient of an NC IDEA grant, reports the Mountain Xpress : [link removed]. Founder Sarah Wickers says, “Our overarching goal is to be a nationally recognized artisan spice company and pivot into a larger market. But we will always hold to sourcing up to 85 percent of our ingredients from small, family-owned American farms, keeping money in our communities and the hands of the farmers.”

Whaley Farm Brewery will open this summer in Old Fort, according to WLOS : [link removed].
Co-owner and farmer Jessica Whaley of Whaley Farmstead says that in addition to the tap room, the space will feature a farm store for locally grown produce and dairy items. “Beer is such an agricultural product and that's something that we're going to strive to communicate to our patrons who come through,” says co-owner and brewer Chris Whaley.



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

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