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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Black Mountain Tailgate Market, Mills River Farmers’ Market, and Lenoir Open Today!

Black Mountain Tailgate Market

Good news for local food lovers. Three – yes THREE – more markets open this Saturday, May 4, and in three different communities.

The Black Mountain Tailgate Market sits under beautiful shade trees and serves a wide swath of folks. They feature a diverse group of farmers & vendors, including Looking Glass Creamery, Foothills Family Farm, and Jake’s Farm. Their market is held behind the First Baptist Church at 130 Montreat Road in Black Mountain on Saturdays from 9-12.

The Mills River Farmers’ Market opens this Saturday from 8-12 at 5046 Boylston Highway in Mills River. I have never been to this market, but I have seen lots of pretty pictures on Facebook. I know Jeanine Davis and Paul Shoemaker sell there sometimes.

It’s a special market day in Lenoir, NC. The Lenoir Downtown Farmers Market is celebrating its opening day with Lighting Up The Skies, an event that takes place this Saturday, May 4 from 10 am to 7 pm with fireworks at dark, and cool demonstrations during the day at the market (like a shiitake mushroom demo).

Black Mountain Tailgate Market

 LATER IN THE WEEK:

The Oakley Farmers Market opens this coming Thursday, May 9, from 3:30 to 6:30. Just today, I heard that Oakley is a really sweet, friendly market.

Flat Rock Tailgate Market is now open on Thursdays from 3-6.

Black Mountain Tailgate Market

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

For more details about the farmers visit: https://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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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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Start Your Weekend Right at the Friday Markets

Remember the Friday markets! Stock up for a festive Friday night meal, hors d’oeuvers, or dessert (get some strawberries before they are gone). I found onions at Wednesday’s Montford Farmer’s Market. Lots of new veggies are showing up every week, and there are lots of veggie & herb plants available for your home garden.

Leicester Farmer’s Market, in the parking lot of Leicester Landing Shopping Center, behind Zaxby’s at 338 Leicester Highway.  Held on two different days – Friday evenings from 4-7 and from 9-2 every Saturday.

East Asheville is opening this Friday, May 18! Get out in your neighborhood and show your support.

East Asheville Tailgate Market, Grace United Methodist Church parking lot, 954 Tunnel Road, Asheville, Fridays, 3-6 pm.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/East-Asheville-Tailgate-Market/367467635465

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Pretty Market Weather, Market Updates, and Tomato Planting Time

Great market weather is predicted for Saturday, so all the Tailgate Markets should be cranking. A broader range of offerings are showing up with each week. Be absolutely sure to get strawberries before they are gone for the season. We had our third batch of Strawberry Shortcake last night. It is SO simple to make and so delicious. Make it a springtime tradition!

This weekend is also prime time for planting your own veggie

B & L Organics’ Tomato Plants

garden. Market farmers have super-healthy tomato and pepper transplants for sale. Look for all sorts of veggies and herb plants to tuck into your garden…and you will enjoy a delicious harvest later! The farmers’ prices beat box store prices and the quality is ten times better (in my humble opinion). You can tell how healthy they are just by looking. Hey – these plants are raised with love, good dirt, and quality seed.

 

MARKET UPDATES:

OPENING NEXT FRIDAY, May 18:

East Asheville Tailgate Market, Grace United Methodist Church parking lot, 954 Tunnel Road, Asheville, Fridays, 3-6 pm, opening May 18

THIS SATURDAY, May 12:

Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market

TIME CHANGE THIS WEEK ONLY

Because of graduation at Mars Hill College this Saturday, the Market will be held from 1-4 in the afternoon this Saturday only – at the same location with the same wonderful offerings. Next week the Madison County Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market hours will return to their normal morning hours.

North Asheville Tailgate Market

SPECIAL EVENT for Mothers Day:

The NATM will be in its normal location this week. For the third year in a row B & L Organics will host a kids planting activity to celebrate Mother’s Day. Laura Bower – with her friend Cheri Hoefelmeyer – will set up a potting table for kids to plant seeds in an arrangement for Mom. Laura and Cheri have made up their own organic potting mix and will be using untreated and organic seeds. Bring the kids out to visit Laura’s booth (across from Frank’s booth and the seafood) for some hands-in-the-dirt fun and a chance to make something for Mom.

NEXT SUNDAY, May 20

SUSHI MAKING CLASS

To benefit FEAST, a program of Slow Food Asheville

Learn how to make homemade sushi and support an excellent cause! FEAST director Kate Justen will teach a hands-on Sushi making class on Sunday May 20^th at Francine Delany New School for Children in the Dogwood Building from 4-6 pm. You will learn the proper way to prepare the rice, sushi vegetables, smoked fish, and tempeh (we will not be working with raw fish in this class). Then practice and hone your skills at rolling them all together into a sushi roll! All of the proceeds will go to support FEAST – a program of Slow Food Asheville – empowering youth by teaching them hands on cooking skills and encouraging healthy eating habits. Contact Cathy Cleary at cathycleary@gmail.com to sign up and pay, or more information call Cathy at 828-545-1295.

$25 pre-payment required. Class limited to 15 people, so sign up now!

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Favorite Markets Opening…Wednesday, Thursday, & Saturday!

It is official. The markets have strawberries, and they ARE delicious (see the previous post!).

Lots of your favorite markets open this week…including Asheville City

Yes! Strawberries. Don't miss out.

South, Montford, Spruce Pine, Flat Rock, Big Ivy, Mills River, and Black Mountain Tailgate Market.

And the Weaverville Tailgate Market is celebrating spring with a visiting chef, Ed Cohan of Green Sage, Scribbles the clown, a potting table for kids, and Madison County’s wonderful Extension Agent, Elizabeth Ayers, will be at the market to answer your gardening questions.

Opens WEDNESDAY, May 2 ~
Asheville City Market South, Biltmore Park Town Square, 2-6, moves outdoors this week

Montford Farmers Market, Asheville Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot, 36 Montford Avenue, 2-6

Spruce Pine Farmers Market,  Oak Avenue on the porch of Wildflower’s Health Food Store, 2-5

Opens THURSDAY, May 3 ~

Flat Rock Tailgate Market, behind Hand & Hand Gallery, Greenville Highway, Thursdays, 3-6

Opens SATURDAY, May 5 ~

Big Ivy Tailgate Market, old Fire Station parking lot, Barnardsville, Saturdays, 10-12, Opens May 5, 2012

Black Mountain Tailgate Market, behind the First Baptist Church at 130 Montreat Road in Black Mountain, Saturdays, 9-12, May 5

Mills River Tailgate Market, 5046 Boylston Highway, Saturdays, 8-12, May 5 to October

Get Your 'Mater Plants

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