ASAP | From Here | Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project

June has arrived and with it an exciting spread of new produce on farmers market tables—summer squash, snap peas, cherries, kohlrabi, broccoli, garlic scapes, baby beets, and even a few greenhouse-grown tomatoes and peppers. There are more vendors, too, as some farms are returning to market after the slower spring season. Several markets have been able to adjust their layout to accommodate additional spaces while still maintaining social distancing precautions. And starting today, you have another market to visit in Asheville. East Asheville Tailgate Market reopens this afternoon from 3 to 6 p.m. at Groce Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Rd. Read the rest of this entry »

Local bamboo shoots might not be an item you would expect to find on farmers market tables, but they’re available now, either fresh or pickled, from Lee’s One Fortune Farm, at ASAP Farmers Market (both Thursday and Saturday), Black Mountain Tailgate Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market, and River Arts District Farmers Market. Read the rest of this entry »

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.) Read the rest of this entry »

ASAP likes to share the stories of people who help us fulfill our mission. This month we’re talking to farmer Wesley Sleight of Sleight Family Farm in McDowell County. Wes works with ASAP’s Growing Minds Farm to School Program and recently joined the advisory committee for the NC Farm to Preschool Network.

Read the rest of this entry »

We’ve finally left these late frosts behind and are moving into consistently warm days. It’s time to start day dreaming about summer crops. And, with some farms utilizing greenhouses to speed along warm-weather produce, you can do more than fantasize about the first cucumbers of the season. Both Headwaters Market Garden (ASAP Farmers Market on Saturdays) and Thatchmore Farm (North Asheville Tailgate Market and West Asheville Tailgate Market) have them now! Read the rest of this entry »

Mother’s Day is Sunday and fresh cut, local flowers are bringing a riot of color to farmers tailgate markets right now—peonies, ranunculus, sweet William, bachelor’s buttons, and even poppies. Pick up a bouquet for the mothers you’re social distancing with or buy some for yourself and send a picture to far away moms. We think she’ll still appreciate the gesture. Find bouquets Saturday morning at ASAP Farmers Market at A-B Tech from Carolina Flowers and Lee’s One Fortune Farm or at North Asheville Tailgate Market from Full Sun Farm. Read the rest of this entry »

Quarantine is taking its toll on all of us. It’s hard to remain cheerful, productive, and even at little bit at peace with life feeling perpetually on hold. We’re not saying that strawberries are going to solve this. But we really think they might help a little. 

Read the rest of this entry »

We’ll see a few more farmers markets opening in Buncombe County in the next two weeks, though others have announced delays. Set to open Saturday, May 2, are North Asheville Tailgate Market at UNC Asheville and Black Mountain Tailgate Market. Enka-Candler Tailgate Market will begin Thursday, May 7, at a new location at the A-B Tech Small Business Center at 1465 Sand Hill Rd. in Enka. East Asheville Tailgate Market and Riverside Tailgate Market have both delayed openings and Asheville City Market’s downtown and south locations remain closed. Find a full list of which markets are open throughout the region here. 

Read the rest of this entry »

ASAP likes to share the stories of people who help us fulfill our mission. This month we’re talking to farmers market managers who have worked hard to keep markets safe and operational during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leslie Logemann is market manager at Transylvania Farmers’ Market in Brevard.

Read the rest of this entry »

ASAP likes to share the stories of people who help us fulfill our mission. This month we’re talking to farmers market managers who have worked hard to keep markets safe and operational during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quinn Asteak is executive director of West Asheville Tailgate Market.

Read the rest of this entry »