Warm Weather, Markets Cooking & Stawberries Getting Ripe

OK people. By this Saturday, every market in the region will be open (except the Bakersville Farmers Market which opens next Saturday). Lets be hoopin’ and hollerin’! On top of that, the weather seems to have finally warmed up. The nice hot sunshine has been making the farmer’s crops grow, coaxing strawberries to ripen, and just generally making

Beautiful Tomatoes

market-going even sweeter.

In view of the weird spring I would advise gardeners to keep an eye on the weather, but the frost date has past and it is officially safe to plant your veggie garden. Tailgate Markets are full of beautiful plant starts. Take this opportunity to buy some transplants, tuck them into your garden soil, and grow some of your very own cool crops at home…like ‘Fairytale’ Eggplant, ‘Carmen’ Peppers, and unusual tomatoes.

Gotta love Western North Carolina. There is a Farmer’s Tailgate Market every day of the week except Monday!

Tailgate Market Schedule Update…

JUST OPENED on Friday, May 17: East Asheville Tailgate Market: Fridays, 3-6 pm

OPEN THIS SATURDAY, May 18: Waynesville Tailgate Market: Wednesdays/Saturdays, 8 am-12 pm

OPENING NEXT SATURDAY, May 25: Bakersville Farmers Market: Saturdays, 8 am-12 pm

SATURDAY FARMER’S TAILGATE MARKETS:

Asheville City Market: April 6, Saturdays, 8 am-1 pm

Black Mountain Tailgate Market: May 4, Saturdays, 9 am-12 pm

Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market: April 20, Wednesdays/Saturdays, 8 am-12 pm

Henderson County Tailgate Market: Saturdays, 7 am-12 pm

Historic Marion Tailgate Market: May 14, Tuesdays 3-6 pm, Saturdays, 9 am-12 pm

Leicester Farmers Market: March 30, Saturdays, 9 am-2 pm

Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market: April 6, Saturdays, 9 am-1 pm

Mills River Farmers Market: May 4, Saturdays, 8 am-12 pm

North Asheville Tailgate Market: April 13, Saturdays, 8 am-12 pm

Transylvania Tailgate Market: April 20, Saturdays, 8 am-12:30 pm

SUNDAY FARMER’S TAILGATE MARKETS:

Sundays On The Island, Marshall, Sundays, 12-4

TUESDAY FARMER’S TAILGATE MARKETS:

Historic Marion Tailgate Market: May 14, Tuesdays 3-6 pm, Saturdays, 9 am-12 pm

West Asheville Tailgate Market: April 9, Tuesdays, 3:30-6:30 pm

WEDNESDAY FARMER’S TAILGATE MARKETS:

Asheville City Market South: April 3, Wednesdays, 1-5 pm

French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market: April 3, Wednesdays, 2-6 pm

Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market: April 20, Wednesdays/Saturdays, 8 am-12 pm

Montford Farmers Market: May 1, Wednesdays, 2-6 pm

Spruce Pine Farmers Market: May 1, Wednesdays, 2-5 pm

Weaverville Tailgate Market: April 10, Wednesdays, 2:30-6:30 pm

THURSDAY FARMER’S TAILGATE MARKETS:

Flat Rock Tailgate Market: May 2, Thursdays, 3-6 pm

Oakley Farmers Market: May 9, Thursdays, 3:30-6:30 pm

FRIDAY FARMER’S TAILGATE MARKETS:

Yancey County Farmers Market: April 20, Saturdays, 8:30 am-12:30 pm

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2013 Farmer’s Tailgate Market Schedule – Season Update

North Asheville Tailgate Market is OPENING this

Saturday, April 13 from 8-12:  

Its a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

It’s opening day for the North Asheville Tailgate Market! The weatherpeople are predicting 68 degrees and sunny. Can you believe that after our recent weather?

This wonderful market is one of the most popular in the Asheville area. It is located in a parking lot on the UNCA campus. It’s easily accessible and has a great selection of mostly long-term vendors. Like most area tailgate markets, everything at this market is locally grown/produced.

You will find vegetables, vegetable starts, herbs, plants, cheeses, meats, eggs, artisan breads, baked goods, chocolates, honey, handmade soaps & body products, pottery, jewelry, crafts, jams, condiments, homemade sauces & dressings, a food truck with empanadas, music, and a feeling of excitement in the air. Have a happy spring adventure (maybe there are sticky buns in your future). Get out and visit the North Asheville Tailgate Market – or your neighborhood farmer’s tailgate market – this Saturday.

Asheville Area Farmer’s Tailgate Markets that are

ALREADY OPEN in 2013:

SATURDAY –

Asheville City Market: Saturdays, 8 am-1 pm

Asheville City Market South: Wednesdays, 1-5 pm

Leicester Farmers Market: Saturdays 9 am-2 pm

Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market: Saturdays 9 am-1 pm

North Asheville Tailgate Market: Saturdays 8 am-12 pm (opening this Saturday)

TUESDAY –

West Asheville Tailgate Market: Tuesdays 3:30-6:30 pm

 

WEDNESDAY –

French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market: Wednesdays 2-6 pm

Weaverville Tailgate Market: Wednesdays 2:30-6:30 pm

For more details about the markets visit: http://tailgatemarketfanclub.wordpress.com/market-list/

For more details about the farmers visit: http://tailgatemarketfanclub.wordpress.com/farms-etc/

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2013 Farmers’ Tailgate Market Season – Opening Dates

Winter markets are still open, but it won’t be long before area farmers’ Tailgate Markets open (see list below). Yay! In fact, the Leicester Farmers Market opens tomorrow, Easter Saturday, from 9-2!

Gaining Ground Farm

Asheville City Market South and the French Broad Food Coop Wednesday Market open this coming Wednesday, April 3 – both from 2-6. The Asheville City Market (on Charlotte Street from 8-1) and the Madison County Farmer’s & Artisan’s Market (in Mars Hill from 9-1) both open next Saturday, April 6. West Asheville Tailgate Market’s opening day is Tuesday, April 9 from 2:30-6:30. At UNCA, the North Asheville Tailgate Market opens on Saturday, April 13 from 8-12.

We have had a serious bout of unrelenting cold weather. Even last night temperatures fell into the 20’s, so farm crops will come in a little later this year. BUT if you have been attending the winter tailgate markets, you know that – even over the winter – vendors have offered a wonderful diversity of local foods for local-lovers.

List of Market Openings for 2013:

Asheville City Market: April 6, Saturdays, 8 am-1 pm

Asheville City Market South: April 3, Wednesdays, 1-5 pm

Bakersville Farmers Market: May 25, Saturdays 8 am-12 pm

Black Mountain Tailgate Market: May 4, Saturdays 9 am-12 pm

East Asheville Tailgate Market: May 17, Fridays 3-6 pm

Flat Rock Tailgate Market: May 2, Thursdays 3-6 pm

French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market: April 3, Wednesdays 2-6 pm

Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market: April 20, Wednesdays/Saturdays 8 am-12 pm

Henderson County Tailgate Market: early spring TBA, Saturdays 7 am-12 pm

Historic Marion Tailgate Market: May 14, Tuesdays 3-6 pm, Saturdays 9 am-12 pm

Leicester Farmers Market: March 30, Saturdays 9 am-2 pm

Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market: April 6, Saturdays 9 am-1 pm

Mills River Farmers Market: May 4, Saturdays 8 am-12 pm

Montford Farmers Market: May 1, Wednesdays 2-6 pm

North Asheville Tailgate Market: April 13, Saturdays 8 am-12 pm

Oakley Farmers Market: May 9, Thursdays 3:30-6:30 pm

Spruce Pine Farmers Market: May 1, Wednesdays 2-5 pm

Transylvania Tailgate Market: April 20, Saturdays 8 am-12:30 pm

Waynesville Tailgate Market: May 15, Wednesdays/Saturdays 8 am-12 pm

Weaverville Tailgate Market: April 10, Wednesdays 2:30-6:30 pm

West Asheville Tailgate Market: April 9, Tuesdays 3:30-6:30 pm

Yancey County Farmers Market: April 20, Saturdays 8:30 am-12:30 pm

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Farmering In Winter…Where Is Spring?

I am aching for spring. Since I work outside, the weather is an ever-present phenomenon, and it seems that the mild mid-winter has morphed into a very mean late-winter. The wooly worm was right! Monday was spent attending to a new shipment of fruit trees in biting wind. Tuesday got colder as the day went on. Wednesday…ahhh…the sun actually stayed out for most of the day. It wasn’t warm, but it wasn’t grey either.

Woodfin Y Market – People In Line for East Fork Farm

Today I wore about 3 shirts, a vest, a fleece, a wool hat, gloves, and occasionally my lined Carhartt jacket. I felt a bit like the Pillsbury Doughboy. I checked the weather report and temperatures through the weekend will be colder than normal. That’s right. Colder than normal. This is gonna sound like whining, but ugg, and double ugg. My stepdaughter, Amelia, wrote a wonderful post about February. Here is the first bit, but you should read the whole post! “Every year I think that I want to break up with February a little more.”

Our tailgate market farmers have to move forward with determination despite the bitter weather. To get goods to the market as early as possible, you can bet that many of their days are spent outside on these fierce windy days. Stuff has to happen while we are sitting on our cozy sofas drinking tea. Otherwise, when the spring markets open there would not be anything for sale. Farmers are BUSY right now – growing transplants, planting seeds, plowing ground, cutting down cover crops, birthing baby animals, building structures for the coming year, repairing greenhouses, fixing machinery, maintaining fruit and berry plants, and God knows what else. All of these tasks are done by the farmers with a leap of faith that rain will come when it is needed, that the plants will produce, and that someone will buy their goods.

Seth Salmon of Flying Fish CSA and Wildwood Herbal at Woodfin Y Indoor
Market

If you ever think you are paying too much for something at the Tailgate Market, flash on the dedication our farmers bring to their work. We probably aren’t paying them enough. These folks aren’t doing this only for fun. It is their job and

the way they pay their bills and buy their kids shoes. As I have said before – farming is a labor of love and we are the lucky recipients. Lets support them now (at the winter markets) as we anticipate the arrival of the spring markets soon. Best wishes and praying that the weatherman got it wrong.

Hand Knitted wool Socks at City Market (Indoors)

Smoke Signals at City Market (Indoors)

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Winter Garden Treats & Market Reminder

January has been wishy-washy…first cold, then warm, then ice and snow, then flooding rain, then fierce winds, then sunshine and calm. But no matter what, we ARE one month closer to spring and that always makes me happy. Winter jasmine is blooming, forsythia buds are swelling, and I saw one or two quince flowers last week. We even heard the sound of frogs during a warm spell.

Cilantro in January, Grown Under Floating Row Cover

Surprise! Cilantro is thriving under row cover in my garden. What an awesome addition it made to the mango/avocado salsa we concocted for fish tacos last weekend (thanks to Amelia & Drew). Until this winter, I had no idea cilantro could take that much cold weather. In fact I hadn’t checked my garden lately and was astonished to find such happy cilantro. Conclusion: Plant cilantro in fall and enjoy it hopefully until the following summer.

I have two patches of arugula. The arugula under row cover is huge and starting to bolt. The other arugula patch is out in the open and, along with the unprotected spinach, clings to the ground for warmth.

Chives are Peeking Out

Chives are starting to pop up (they are happy that spring is coming too!).  Its time to start thinking about planting sugar snaps (on Valentine’s Day) and sneaking in some potatoes in March.

And of course, seek out the winter markets for a LOCAL fix. Get up on Saturday morning, down some coffee, blast yourself off your cozy sofa, and get there early-ish. You’ll be surprised by the selection, even in January, uhh I mean February.

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Winter Y Market Starts Today in Woodfin, 10 – 12:30

Today marks the first “winter market” at the Woodfin YMCA. It is not actually inside the Y this year and will be held outdoors if weather permits or at the LOFTS at Reynolds Village (Building 51). This building is located diagonally across the intersection from the Y. Parking is easy. Hours are short…from 10 – 12:30…but so worth the effort to get great eggs, cheeses, breads, meats, pasta, chocolates, coffee, value-added items, and even some fresh greens and vegetables from our local producers.

Don’t let winter change your habits! Eat well and LOCAL all year long.

Other markets open next Saturday (like the indoor Asheville City Market from 10 am-1 pm on Saturdays at the Haywood Park Hotel atrium).

Local Dinner in January, Soup with Garden Potatoes and Full Sun Broccoli

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LOCAL BREAKFAST…Totally Asheville

Such a delicious and completely LOCAL breakfast this morning…pretty much the same breakfast I grew up eating almost every morning ~ thanks to my Mama.

But even better ~ all local bacon, eggs, grits and toast.

Slicing the Bacon from Foothills Pasture Raised Meats

Sunny Side Up

Starting the Day Off Right!

I am mostly a vegetarian, but my daughter is NOT. As far as the bacon, lets just say I’m spoiling my daughter who is home for Christmas break from Chapel Hill. She said it is the “BEST bacon she has ever eaten.”

The bacon was a gift from Foothills Pasture Raised Meats (Meredith & Casey McKissick). Eggs are from East Fork Farm. Grits from Blue Hill Farm. Toast from Annie’s Naturally Bakery.

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Holiday Markets in Asheville ~ Get Local!

HOLIDAY MARKETS & Tailgate Markets SCHEDULE

The regional schedule is below. Check for Saturday AND Tuesday and Wednesday Markets. Don’t miss your chance to get wonderful local food, incredible baked goods, chocolates, and gifts! The weather will be mild and shopping will be festive & enjoyable. Click here for more details about individual markets.

Some highlights…Carolina Ground Flour (grown and ground in North Carolina) will

Holiday Bazaar Shoppers with Treska Lindsey in the Background

be on sale at the HOLIDAY BAZAAR at North Asheville Tailgate Market, as well as Treska Lindsey’s very wonderful children’s books (beautifully illustrated & heart-warming stories). At all the markets, expect extra vendors for the holidays, including more craftspeople and gift-y items, wonderful foods, vegetables, meats, cheeses, baked goods, honey and molasses, chocolate, and more.

Asheville City Market, same location (Charlotte Street)

Saturdays, Dec. 1, 8, & 15, from 8-1,

Bakersville Farmers Market, Historic Courthouse

Open Saturday, Dec. 8 and 22, from 10-2

Dillingham Market, Dillingham Family Farm, Barnardsville

Saturday, Dec 8, from 10-2…not sure about subsequent Saturdays

Flat Rock Tailgate Market

Saturday, Dec. 8, from 2-5, same location

Grow Down Home Farmers Market, indoors in Black Mountain

Farm & Sparrow Bakery

Saturday, Dec. 8, 15, & 22, from 10-1

HOLIDAY BAZAAR at North Asheville Tailgate Market, UNCA at parking lot C

Saturdays, Dec 1, 8, 15, & 22, from 12-4, from Noon to 4

Jackson County Farmers Market

Saturday, Dec. 8, 15, 22, and 29, from 10-1, indoors at the Community Table

Madison County Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market

Saturdays, Dec. 8, 15, 22, from 9-1, indoors at Fiddlestix

 Marion Tailgate Market

Tuesdays, Dec. 4, 11, & 18 from 3-6, and Friday, Dec. 21, 9-12

North Asheville Tailgate Market hosting the HOLIDAY BAZAAR, UNCA

Saturdays, Dec. 8, 15, & 22 from Noon to 4

Transylvania County Tailgate Market

Saturday, Dec. 8, 15, & 22

Weaverville Tailgate Holiday Market, Indoors at Lake Louise Community Center

Beautiful Holiday Flowers or Hostess Gifts

Wednesdays, Dec. 12, & 19, 2:30-6:30,

Yancey County Farmers Market

Saturdays, Dec. 8 & 15, 8:30-12:30

Was your market left out? Sorry ‘bout that! Leave a comment and I will update.

Chocolates!

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Holiday Bazaar Starts This Saturday

What? The 10th Annual Holiday Bazaar opens this Saturday, December 1. Its location may vary from year to year, but the Holiday Bazaar is going strong and celebrating 10 years.

When?  Saturdays – December 1, 8, 15, and 22 from Noon to 4

Where?  At the North Asheville Tailgate Market location at UNCA. If you are coming up the hill from the roundabout on W. T. Weaver Boulevard, it is the very first right turn (basically into a parking lot)

Who?  A wonderful mix of farmers, bakers, cheesemakers, and craftspeople. You can find delicious foods, meats, seafood, cheeses, breads, savouries, sweets, honey, sorghum molasses, Carolina Ground flour, soaps, plants, holiday flowers, wreaths, maybe Christmas trees, jewelery, pottery, sculpture, all sorts of crafts, and more. Shop for holiday occasions and for holiday gift giving. Be Local!

Questions? Call 828-776-6286.

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Special Holiday Markets This Weekend PLUS Upcoming Holiday Markets Schedule

A few markets offer special one-day-only Holiday Markets that

My Daughter’s Favorite Flavor of Spinning Spider Chevre

take place this Saturday and on upcoming Saturdays. (See Schedule Below) Some Tailgate Markets are still ongoing as usual. Many Tuesday/Wednesday markets have their last official market day the Tuesday/Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Some markets feature a number of ongoing Holiday Market days. You can go directly to the Markets tab to check out what’s going on with your favorite neighborhood market…or see below for a concise list.

Don’t have time to make it yourself? Buy something wonderful that is made with love…at the Tailgate Markets. Think ahead.  Support a local Tailgate Market vendor instead of a grocery store for truly homemade foods. Plus your loyal farmers/vendors have to buy Christmas presents for their families too, right? Order something delicious and homemade for Thanksgiving dinner – savory or sweet – apple and pumpkin pies, and incredible breads and crackers, come right to mind. Gather up some traditional root vegetables. One of my favorite Thanksgiving treats ever was Red Russian kale sprinkled with artisanal balsamic vinegar…very yum! Oh, and remember the eggs for making savory corn pudding.

SCHEDULE

Includes One-Day-Only Holiday Markets, Ongoing Holiday Markets, and upcoming Last Market Days. See Markets tab for additional location info.

Farm & Sparrow Bread

One-Day Only HOLIDAY MARKETS:

These are special one-time-only Holiday Market events, offering additional food vendors and featuring more crafts and gift-y items, along with wonderful holiday foods.

Black Mountain Tailgate Market

Pre-Thanksgiving Holiday Market, Saturday, Nov. 17, 10-1, same location

Mills River Tailgate Market

Holiday Market, Saturday, Nov. 17, 8-12, same location

Spruce Pine Farmers Market, indoors at Mountainside Wine at 271 Oak Ave.

Saturday, Dec. 1, 11-4,

Flat Rock Tailgate Market

Holiday Market, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2-5, same location

LAST MARKET DAY ALERT! just before Thanksgiving. Order those homemade pies and goodies, and get delicious savories for Thanksgiving Day. Don’t forget about meats, cheeses, root vegetables, crackers, and glorious artisan bread.

Leicester Tailgate Market, 338 Leicester Hwy., indoors

Saturday, Nov. 17, 10-3

West Asheville Tailgate Market

Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2:30-5:30, same location

French Broad Food Coop Wednesday Market

Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2-6, same locations…possibly a few vendors will continue

Montford Farmers Market

Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2-5:30, same location

ONGOING HOLIDAY MARKETS & Tailgate Markets

These markets include extra vendors for the holidays, including more craftspeople and gift-y items, wonderful foods, vegetables, meats, cheeses, baked goods, honey and molasses, chocolate, and more.

Asheville City Market

CLOSED Saturday, Nov. 17 for Christmas Parade

OPEN Saturday, Dec. 1, 8, & 15, 8-1, same location

Beautiful Gaining Ground Farm Veggies

Ashe County Farmers Market

Saturday, Nov. 17, 24 & Dec. 1, plus Friday, Nov. 23, 10-2, same location

Bakersville Farmers Market

Open second Saturdays from Dec. to May from 10-2 at Historic Courthouse

Grow Down Home Farmers Market, indoors in Black Mountain,

Dec. 1, 8, 15, & 22, 10-1

Holiday Bazaar at North Asheville Tailgate Market

Dec 1, 8, 15, & 22, 11-3, UNCA from Noon to 4

Jackson County Farmers Market

Saturday, now thru April 6, 10-1, indoors at the Community Table

Madison County Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market

Saturdays, Nov. 17 & 24, and Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 9-1, indoors at Fiddlestix

Marion Tailgate Market

Tuesday, Nov. 20, 27 and Dec. 4, 11, & 18 from 3-6, and Friday, Dec. 21, 9-12

North Asheville Tailgate Market hosting the Holiday Bazaar

Saturday, November 17 & 24, and Dec. 1, 8, 15, & 22 from Noon to 4

Transylvania County Tailgate Market

Ron Gagliano’s Sauce

Saturday, Nov. 17 & 24, Dec. 1, 8, 15, & 22

Weaverville Tailgate Holiday Market,

Indoors at Lake Louise Community Center

Wednesday, Nov. 21 & 28, and Dec. 5, 12, & 19, 2:30-6:30,

Yancey County Farmers Market

Saturday, Nov. 17 & 24, Dec. 1, 8, & 15, 8:30-12:30

Was your market left out? Leave a comment and I will update!

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