Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week

Despite the harsh drop in temperature last week, farmers still have the best of early spring on offer! Strawberries, ramps, and rhubarb have arrived at farmers tailgate markets, alongside many other exciting products.

McConnell Farms has both strawberries and rhubarb, alongside asparagus at West Asheville Tailgate Market and Asheville City Market. Time to bake strawberry rhubarb pies, tarts, and other treats!

Ramps, or wild leeks, are an iconic spring item throughout Appalachia. This week ramps were available from Farm Girl Flowers at West Asheville Tailgate Market. Also, try the popular ramps goat cheese from Three Graces Dairy (also at West Asheville Tailgate Market). Ramps are endangered in our mountains and so it is important to make sure the ramps you buy are sustainably harvested. How can you tell? Those that are sustainably harvested are cut just above the bulb so that the bulb can remain intact in the soil — producing ramps year after year.

Other notable products found at market, less iconic of spring, but no less wonderful: Wehrloom Honey has multiple honey flavors, like the bee brave honey (honey with a little heat spice), at Asheville City Market, along with their mead available for sampling. Ever looked for locally grown rice? Look no further: find black rice from Clyde Valley Farm at Asheville City Market. Shiitakes are full of flavor and have a wonderful texture to add to spring dishes of greens and roots veggies. New Roots Market Garden and Thatchmore Farm both had shiitakes at West Asheville Tailgate Market.

Area farmers tailgate markets take place throughout the region. Check out the full list of spring market opening dates across 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.

(Written by Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project.)