In rhythm with the opening of spring flower buds, each week new market tents open for the season, drawing market shoppers in with an ever expanding bounty of seasonal offerings.
Find these farmers tailgate markets opening this week, bringing fresh spring energy with each market’s unique flair:
Throughout WNC:
- Rutherford County Farmers Market: April 15, Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market: April 15, Wednesdays and Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Ashe County Farmers Market: April 15, Wednesdays and Saturdays 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Asheville-area:
- Weaverville Tailgate Market: April 12, Wednesday 2:30 – 6:30 pm
- French Broad Food Coop Wednesday Tailgate Market: April 19, Wednesdays. 2:00 – 6:00 pm
Flowers, a true sign of spring, are currently available at most area tailgate markets. Visit Full Sun Farm and Flying Cloud Farm at North Asheville Tailgate Market to grab a handful, or an armful, of spring’s most aesthetically pleasing manifestation. And flowers aren’t just eye candy, spice up your next salad (visually and gastronomically) with nasturtium flowers from Jake’s Farm (Asheville City Market), or Redbud flowers from Bear Necessities Farm (Asheville City Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market). As we get deeper into the season, expect more flower farms at market, with an even greater abundance and variety of flowers.
Can’t bear the thought of being without flowers for even one week? Some farms may still have flower CSA shares available for the season, ensuring beautiful weekly arrangements for your home (they also make a great gift!). Ask your favorite flower farms if they still have CSA shares available or browse other CSA’s in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide.
As seasonal tailgate markets return, we find the opportunity to reconnect with market friends and experiences. Thankfully, many regional tailgate markets offer foods that can be enjoyed on site, allowing you to spend more time at your favorite markets. At Asheville City Market, The Clean Plate prepares breakfast items from scratch based on that day’s market offerings, while Farm & Sparrow and Sweetheart Bakery (both at Asheville City Market and North Asheville Tailgate Market) provide sweet and savory pastries and other baked goods for your delight. Home Free Bagels (West Asheville Tailgate Market, Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market) and Crust Never Sleeps (Asheville City Market, West Asheville Tailgate Market) are more than happy to prolong your market stay with bagels and other delectable, handheld treats.
What else can you find at early spring tailgate markets? Greens, radishes, pea shoots, microgreens, asparagus, plant starts, and herbs. You can always find meats, cheeses, eggs, breads, baked goods, value added items, and other treats.
Additional outdoor markets will be opening throughout the months of April and May. Visit ASAP’s list of dates to mark your calendar for when the markets near you get going!
Area farmers tailgate markets take place throughout the region. As always, you can find information about farms, tailgate markets, and farm stands, including locations and hours, by visiting ASAP’s online Local Food Guide.
(Prepared by Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project.)