Many Tailgate Markets Still Open!

Don’t miss out!

Lots of markets are still open on Saturdays and weekdays, plus many markets have upcoming Holiday Market days. Here is a quick list of regular markets that are still open. Please comment if you have additions or corrections.

Check the Markets Tab for upcoming Holiday Markets.

TAILGATE MARKET SCHEDULE: Check Markets Tab for hours and details

Saturday Markets currently open as of Nov. 2:  

Persimmon from Luther Bailey

 Asheville City Market

Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market

Historic Marion Tailgate Market

Jackson County Farmers Market

Leicester Tailgate Market

Madison County Farmer’s & Artisan’s Market

Transylvania Tailgate Market

Yancey County Farmers Market

Tuesday Markets currently open:

West Asheville Tailgate Market

Wednesday Markets currently open:

French Broad Food Coop Wednesday Tailgate Market

Montford Tailgate Market

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Blackberries, Blueberries, Even Apples!

Its berry pie time, but the berries disappear quickly – so go directly to the berry booths, and then do the rest of your Tailgate Market shopping. What is more luxurious than a nice summer berry pie? This time of year – your meals can easily be all-local…from the veggies to the meat to the dessert. All you have to do is show up at the market with your grocery list.

From West Asheville Tailgate Market This Tuesday

Made a quick after-work trip to the West Asheville Tailgate Market this past Tuesday…and came away with:

• Blackberries (made into a mini-pie for dessert after Wednesday’s supper…I just used store-bought pie crust to keep it simple)  McConnell Farms

• Blueberries (used some in our green salad, some on breakfast granola, mostly eaten right out of the crate) Can’t remember grower name, but organically grown

• Pristine Apples (ate one right at the market…this is a very early apple) Thatchmore Farm

• Broccoli (so delicious with those mashed taters) B & L Organics

• Tomatoes (eaten in salads and sandwiches all week) Megan Cole

• Eggs (I was completely out! I refuse to buy eggs at the grocery store unless it is a dire culinary emergency) East Fork Farm

The West Asheville Market has expanded considerably. If you have not visited lately, they have many new vendors and a hopping market scene. Check out this market from 3:30 to 6:30 every Tuesday at 718 Haywood Road in West Asheville in the Grace Baptist Church parking lot, one block east of Brevard Road (do not park in the bank’s parking lot).

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More Weekend Tailgate Market Openings!

Saturday is coming right up – with at least two market openings, and another market opening on Sunday.

The North Asheville Tailgate Market opens this Saturday, April 14, from 8-12. The market takes place in a parking lot at UNCA and the woodsy setting makes it one of the prettiest markets around the area. Many loyal customers visit this market every week.

The Haywood Historic Farmers’ Market also opens this Saturday, April 14, from 8-12 at 250 Pigeon Street (276S) in Waynesville. You may also recognize their location as the Hart Theatre parking lot. This market is also open every Wednesday in the same location from 8-12.

This Sunday, April 15, the Marshall Island Farmers Market opens from 12-4 (sometimes called Sundays on the Island). This market has a unique setting on an island in the French Broad River that is just a stone’s throw from the County Courthouse in downtown Marshall. Marshall High Studios is also on the Island, so you might be able to visit the artist studios while you are there too.

Other Saturday Markets already open: Remember that the Asheville City Market (161 S. Charlotte St.) is already open on Saturdays from 8-1. So is the Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market – on Saturdays from 9-1 (located on Highway 213, Mars Hill College campus, Mars Hill). You can also catch the Dillingham Family Farm Winter Market on Saturday from 10-1 (on Dillingham Road in Barnardsville).

I visited the West Asheville Tailgate Market this past Tuesday. Vendors were out in force and there were plenty of customers throughout the afternoon. I showed up hungry (big mistake!) so everything looked extra-delicious. Salad greens, greens, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and veggie & herb plants were plentiful. I also spotted duck eggs, baby fir trees, and Japanese maples. The wind was crazy and it actually demolished Ron Gagliano’s pop-up tent. Other vendors were holding down their tents during gusts, while bits of acoustic music floated across the wind – for all of us to enjoy.

And remember all of the Wednesday Markets too…French Broad Food Coop Wednesday Market, Wednesdays from 2-6:30, 76 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville;  Haywood Historic Farmers Market, Wednesdays & Saturdays from 8-Noon, Waynesville, 250 Pigeon Street (276S), Hart Theatre parking lot;  and Weaverville Tailgate Market, Wednesday from 2:30-6:30, upper parking lot above Lake Louise in Weaverville, Merrimon Avenue.

Show up and give our farmers a warm welcome! They have been battling the danger of frost most of the week. We are looking at a nice warm spell starting Friday, so buy some transplants from the farmers and plant your own little garden.

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LOCAL Food is Back!

NEWSFLASH! Your favorite tailgate market is either open right now, it opens this week, or will open very soon. Hard-core tailgate market lovers have been attending various wintertime markets, BUT it is time to rescue those market baskets from the back of the closet. Make a note of the market times on your calendar or phone, and revel in this gorgeous spring. Get outside and welcome the farmers back with enthusiasm and start another season of good eating!

What’s open already?

Asheville City Market, Saturdays from 8-1, 161 S. Charlotte Street, Asheville, accepting EBT, Debit & Credit Cards

Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market, Saturdays from 9-1, on Highway 213, Mars Hill College campus, Mars Hill, accepting EBT, Debit & Credit Cards

French Broad Food Coop Wednesday Market, Wednesdays from 2-6:30, 76 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville

Dillingham Family Farm Winter Market, Saturdays from 10-1, Dillingham Road in Barnardsville

 

Opening Tuesday, April 10 (that’s tomorrow!):

West Asheville Tailgate Market, Tuesdays from 3:30-6:30, 718 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, Grace Baptist Church parking lot, one block east of Brevard Road, accepting EBT, Debit & Credit Cards.

 

Opening Wednesday, April 11:

Weaverville Tailgate Market, Wednesday from 2:30-6:30, upper parking lot above Lake Louise, Merrimon Avenue

 

Opening Saturday, April 14:

North Asheville Tailgate Market, Saturday from 8-Noon, parking lot at UNCA, Asheville

Haywood Historic Farmers Market, Wednesdays & Saturdays from 8-Noon, Waynesville, 250 Pigeon Street (276S), Hart Theatre parking lot

 Opening Sunday, April 15:

Marshall Island Farmers’ Market, Sundays from 12-4, on the island across the river from downtown Marshall, Sundays, 12-4

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DIY ~ Make Your own Pickles!

Have you always wanted to try your hand at pickles & preserves?

Ashley English, Author

Join Ashley Adams English at the West Asheville Tailgate Market on Tuesday, August 16^th for a workshop and information on “Preserving & Pickling Your Summer Harvest”. Just imagine how wonderful it will be in January to go to your pantry and break out a jar of homemade pickles that smack of summer. A few years ago, my friend Judy gave me some fig preserves for Christmas. It was one of my favorite presents ever. Those fig preserves actually got me through a bitter January because they tasted like sunshine ~ happy and warm.

Two demonstrations are scheduled at the West Asheville Tailgate Market on Tuesday, August 16^th at 4:30 and 5:30.

Canning & Preserving By Ashley English

Ashley is the author of the “Homemade Living” book series (Lark Books) which showcases topics related to small-scale homesteading and some of the diverse ways people are reconnecting with their food and food communities and taking up sustainable food practices. Check out her wonderful blog, Small Measure, at http://small-measure.blogspot.com/.

WHERE”S the MARKET?

The West Asheville Tailgate Market is located in West Asheville at 718 Haywood Road.  You will find them in the Grace Baptist Church parking lot, one block east of Brevard Road on Tuesdays from 3:30-6:30.

WATM WEBSITE:  http://www.westashevilletailgatemarket.com/

WATM FACEBOOK:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Asheville-Tailgate-Market/231092440141

Keeping Chickens by Ashley English

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New Market Opens in Montford on Wednesday, June 22!

Who: Montford Farmers Market

When: Wednesdays starting June 22 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: 36 Montford Avenue, behind the Asheville Chamber of Commerce

The brand new Montford Farmer’s Market opens next Wednesday in (guess where?) Montford from 2 to 6. Located in the roomy parking lot behind the Asheville Chamber of Commerce/Visitor Center at 36 Montford Avenue, this new market is just off Interstate-240 at the Montford exit. It was established by many of the vendors from the Wednesday Coop Market, and because the parking lot is bigger ~ expect new faces, new farmers and craftspeople in addition to many familiar farmers, bakers and vendors. It sounds like there will be a local brewer in attendance on a regular basis as well; this week that’s Asheville Brewing. The new market location will be super convenient for me, and I can’t wait to check it out. Try to come out on Wednesday, especially if you live in Montford…and welcome the market to your neighborhood. Congratulations and best wishes to the Montford Farmers Market!

The Wednesday Coop Market, a downtown favorite for many years, will remain a fixture in the Build-It-naturally parking lot just above the French Broad Food Coop. That market will also be adding new farmers and vendors, to replace those who are moving to Montford. I know that Jakes Farm will be one of the new faces at the Wednesday Coop Market and it’s exciting to see this market evolving too. Here is a vendor list as of Friday:  Freshly Baked Breads in Pat Battle’s Clay Oven, Carolina Wild Seafood, B&L Organics, Dave’s Raw Honey, Jake’s Farm, Lady Luck Flowers, Oak Moon Goat Cheese, Wildwood Herbal, Roots & Branches, Zuma Coffee, Mota Mushrooms, Mamacita’s, Carolina Bison, and Everyone Cooks. Cheers to my friend Joel who will be selling Zuma Gold Cookies. They’re killer ~ so definitely try one!

I hope you will attend both these markets or one of the other Wednesday markets like the Weaverville Tailgate Market, and support our hardworking farmers. Our local farmers and other vendors provide us with such fabulous local food choices; lets support them at these markets so we can continue to have the privilege of eating incredible local food.

Remember to look for fresh-dug potatoes!

For more information about the new Montford Farmers Market, contact Nicole Delcogliano at nicoleandgaelan@yahoo.com. Also be on the lookout for a Montford Farmers Market Facebook Page sometime soon. You can currently visit the Wednesday Coop Market on Facebook.

P.S. Remember the West Asheville Market is tomorrow(Tuesday).

P.S.S. At the Weaverville Market this Wednesday, Brenda Dillingham will have fresh chicken breasts and leg quarters, white broad breasted and bourbon red.

Great Salad Makings at the Market!

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Revel in our Local Abundance

Last week I rushed in to the market before work; I was on a mission to get goat cheese for my daughter to take to the beach (she and her friend Marika claim that Spinning Spider’s Rosemary-Fig Chevre is their very favorite, but they will eat others when pressed). I sped over to Anne Gaines Grier (Gaining Ground Farm) and got two pints of strawberries. One went to the beach, one I enjoyed tremendously. We have been eating strawberries for weeks now and that is just heaven. And no, I haven’t made anything like a pie. They haven’t lasted long enough.

And guess what? One or two blueberries in my yard are turning blueish…so blueberries will be coming in soon too. I almost forgot to mention the Currant Croissant I got from Farm and Sparrow Bakery. David made these last year, but I only saw them every now and then. Very, very, yummy and flaky. That was breakfast, and off to work I went.

The previous week, I actually was able to go to the West Asheville Market, the Wednesday Coop Market and the North Asheville Market all in one week. I hadn’t planned to go to The West Asheville Market, but it had been super hot all day long. I started daydreaming about those wonderful Popsicle. By the time I got there after work, she was out. Wah! That left me with a perfect excuse to get a bag of Roots & Branches Rosemary Crackers.

I had a big Tailgate Market list on that Saturday. My friend Nell is recuperating from a hip injury, so we got her a beautiful bouquet from Tuckers Gardens and some of Joanne Moore’s homemade shortbread. We got 2 pints of gorgeous strawberries from Vanessa (Full Sun Farm) and pound cake from Cathy Osada to go along with the strawberries. For our friend Judy’s birthday, we found some earrings that were made from glowing periwinkle-blue sea glass. The jeweler, Victoria Baker makes them with beach glass she collects in her travels.

Bouquet by Tucker's Gardens

Of course, goat cheese chevre was on the list. This is something our whole family adores. Amelia just posted a picture of baby Asher licking every last bit of chevre from a goat cheese container. How cool is that? Asher’s not even two years old yet!

Make a day of it tomorrow. The markets are hopping. The food is fresh and packed with vitality. The farmers and producers care. We live in an amazing spot with multiple great tailgate markets. Revel in our local abundance. Visit one.

 

 

Click here for the market list:

http://tailgatemarketfanclub.wordpress.com/market-list/

CHECK OUT Riceville Tailgate Market’s new location: Grace United Methodist Church parking lot, 954 Tunnel Road, Fridays, 4-7 pm.

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Strawberries, Wednesday Market Visit, Black Mountain

A Couple of Quick Announcements ~

• Last post I forgot to mention that the Big Ivy Tailgate Market in Barnardsville (Saturday, 10-12), the Mills River Tailgate Market (Saturday, 8-12), and the Marshall Island Farmers Market (Sunday, 12-4) are all now officially open.

• Black Mountain Tailgate Market opens this coming Saturday, May 14, from 9-12.

What a happy thing that the farmers are back! Show up with your shopping bag.

Strawberries from Flying Cloud Farm & Full Sun Farm

Just finished a bowl of local STRAWBERRIES and ice cream! According to farmers, it’s a big strawberry year, and I’ve had strawberries from four different growers in the last three days. Jake’s Farm had some beauties at the West Asheville Market on Tuesday, and Full Sun Farm and Flying Cloud Farm had strawberries at the Wednesday Coop Market. Wilma shared a big bowl of homegrown strawberries at the nursery today.

Be sure to hit a Saturday or Sunday market this week to indulge in this most wonderful spring fruit. My daughter was so delighted by Tuesdays strawberries, that I got a bunch more on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, Aimee Mostwill (Sweetheart Bakery) treated me to a rich chocolate cupcake topped with a fluffy strawberry frosting (She grew the strawberries).  So yummy! There was a lot of finger-licking going on in the vicinity of Aimee’s booth.

Here’s a sample of some of the other goodies from the Wednesday Co-op Market this week:

Beautiful Butterhead Lettuce from Gaining Ground Farm

Anne and Aaron Grier (Gaining Ground Farm) were at the market with adorable baby Addiebelle. I am not sure how Anne is managing farming with a six month old baby, but she has a full booth ~ including the most beautiful red butterhead lettuce I have ever seen.

Bad Boy French Sourdough from Wake Robin Farm Breads

Gail Lunsford and Steve Bardwell were both minding the Wake Robin Farm booth. Gail joined me in the finger-licking of strawberry frosting.

Saxifrage from Big Pine Native Gardens

Dianne Tolman, of Madison County, had this beautiful Saxifrage. Even though I work at a nursery, I had to have this beautiful plant. Such striking leaves!

Grits from Blue Hill Farm

So glad to get re-stocked on grits from Blue Hill Farm (Wayne Uffelman). The market wasn’t open last time I ran out of grits, and I had to resort to store-bought grits. Wayne’s grits is WAY better. Try these grits recipes: http://tailgatemarketfanclub.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/grits-with-goat-cheese-topped-with-roasted-mushrooms/ OR http://tailgatemarketfanclub.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/spicy-cheese-grits/.

Spinach from Blue Hill Farm

And from The West Asheville Market on Tuesday ~

Multi-Seeded Bread from Roots & Branches

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More Market Openings, Visit to West Asheville Market, Congrats to Gaelan

• MARKETS OPENING this coming week:

 

Greenlife Sunday Market opens this Sunday, May 1, 11-3

Wednesday Coop Market opens this Wednesday, May 4, 2-6:30

Asheville City Market – South, opens this Wednesday, May 4, 2-6

Flat Rock Tailgate Market opens this Thursday, May 5, 3-6

Big Ivy Tailgate Market opens this Saturday, May 7, 10-12

Mills River Tailgate Market opens this Saturday, May 7, 8-12

Marshall Island Farmers Market opens Sunday, May 8,12-4

• ALREADY OPEN:

 

Madison County Farmer’s & Artisan’s Market, Saturdays, 9-1

 

Asheville City Market, 161 S. Charlotte Street, Saturdays, 8-1

 

Henderson County Tailgate Market, Saturdays, 7-12

 

North Asheville Tailgate Market, UNCA, Saturdays, 8-12

 

Yancey County Farmer’s Market, Saturdays, 8:30 -12:30

 

Haywood Historic Farmers Market, Wednesdays & Saturdays, 8-1

 

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

 

Weaverville Tailgate Market, Wednesdays, 2:30 – 6:30

For other location details and other market info click here: http://tailgatemarketfanclub.wordpress.com/market-list/

• CONGRATULATIONS to the Knife and Fork Team (from Spruce Pine) with Gaelan Corozine of Green Toe Ground Farm. They won their recent bout in the WNC Chef’s Challenge match, and their next heat is on May 23^rd.  Come root for Gaelan! Check out the details at www.wncmagazine.com/wineandfood/challenge.

• TUESDAY was amazing, starting with a local breakfast at Over Easy followed by a hike to Catawba Falls to walk the big breakfast off. This time of year the woods were glowing with baby green foliage. We identified many native plants along the way, including Tiarella, Solomon’s Seal, False Solomon’s Seal, Rattlesnake Plantain, Yellowroot, Asters, Buckeye, Ferns, and Dwarf Crested Iris. The walk culminated at the upper falls where an enormous Red Buckeye (in bloom) rose from a soil-less tumble of giant rocks in the middle on the creek.

 

Next Stop:  I hadn’t been to the West Asheville Tailgate Market since their move to the Grace Baptist Church parking lot on Haywood Road. Usually I am working on Tuesday. The market had a great feeling and was WAY bigger than it used to be. First I got a bear claw pastry from Darci (Loaf Child Bakery). Lots of butter layered in the pastry with an almond filling. Yep! It was delicious. Then we bought some watercress from Long Valley Farm, which combined with greens from my garden for a salad at dinnertime. Laura Bower had beautiful veggie starts. Got a loaf of rye bread from the Simple Bread guy (it made a great sandwich today).

West Asheville Tailgate Market Goodies

We talked to the hotdog guy for a little while. They are called Hardcastle Hotdogs and ~ can you believe this? They are homemade with ingredients from Hickory Nut Gap Meats. He builds your hotdog to order. If you are a hotdog eater, these might be the best ever. Next to the hotdog stand was a Popsicle maker. We got Coconut-Lemongrass, and Pear-Vanilla-Honey Popsicles. Laura got the last Dark Chocolate-Seasalt Popsicle. So OK, we were filling up on sweets right before dinner.

I sampled some of the Roots & Branches Crackers. Honestly, I had no intention of buying crackers, but they were so doggone good I couldn’t resist. We were about to drive off when we decided that we HAD to have some goat chevre to go along with those crackers. Jumped back out and got some Dillicious Chevre from Three Graces Dairy.

I really enjoyed this market. Check it out yourself next Tuesday. It runs from 3:30 to 6:30.

• More:

CANNING & PRESERVING MADE EASY ~ WORKSHOP

May 17 from 1 to 4:30

Learn more about canning or just brush up on the latest information on home food preservation from canning to freezing to drying. This workshop is an introduction to canning, pickling, jams and jellies, freezing, drying and storage. $10. For more info call 828-649-2792. Madison County Cooperative Extension Service.

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West Asheville Opens Tuesday, April 12th ~ Weaverville Opens Wednesday April 13th

The West Asheville Tailgate Market opens tomorrow, April 12 from 3:30 –6:30. This great market has been around for years, and has a loyal following. They are located in West Asheville on Haywood Road ~ in the Grace Baptist Church parking lot, one block east of Brevard Road. On opening day you can find spring greens, veggie garden transplants, local meats and eggs, and local food artisans.

Like them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/West-Asheville-Tailgate-Market/231092440141.

The Weaverville Tailgate Market opens this Wednesday, April 13 from 2:30 to 6:30 rain or shine. They are located in the upper parking lot above Lake Louise. If you are coming from Asheville, Lake Louise is on the left on Merrimon Avenue/Weaverville Highway before you get into Weaverville proper (if you are coming from Asheville).

Opening Day Highlights at the Weaverville Market:

• They are now able to take debit/credit cards ~ ask for details at the market.

• Michael Gentry, the Sustainable Gourmet, will be at the market on opening day.  I bet this friendly chef will cook up something yummy!

• Live Bluegrass Music.

• Master Gardeners will be there to answer your gardening/landscape questions.

• Face Painting with Scribbles the Clown.

• Kids can pot a plant up and take it home.

• A new SEAFOOD vendor will start coming in the next few weeks.

• Our regular vendors will be returning with baked goods, pies, candy, preserves, goat cheese, pestos and pasta sauce, pork, lamb, chicken, rabbit, eggs, soaps, salad greens of every sort, radishes, green onions, Swiss chard, turnips, watercress, Asian greens, arugula, kale, spinach, pea greens, dried tomatoes, mushrooms, veggie transplants, perennials, Japanese maples, jewelry, and there is even a vague possibility of strawberries.

Like them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Weaverville-Tailgate-Market/198630693494560.

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