An Emphasis on Fresh, Local Products from Asheville Area Farms
Nearly 100 tailgate markets can be found in the Southern Appalachians and nine of them are located in the greater Asheville area.
Shop at one of these many markets and odds are you'll be shopping alongside chefs from the best Asheville restaurants. Eateries like Rhubarb, Cucina24, Table and The Market Place are just a few of the many places where you can savor meals prepared with farm fresh food.
There are markets that are open year-round. The largest being the Western North Carolina Farmers Market, open seven days a week. There are also indoor markets and special holiday markets that are open seasonally.
Most of Asheville's tailgate markets open for the year in the spring, typically in April or May. These early spring markets offer an array of produce, including vegetables like asparagus, leeks, ramps and radishes, tender lettuces and salad greens, cold-hardy greens like kale and spinach, mushrooms and spring alliums. In addition to produce, choose from a selection of locally raised meats, cheeses, eggs, bread, honey, and more, as well as a wide selection of starter plants.
May is Wellness Month at farmers markets in the Asheville area, which, in the past, has included activities like kids yoga, community workouts, cooking demos, health screenings and chiropractic evaluations.
Fall is an especially great time to experience these locals markets. During the harvest, tailgates and roadside stands are stocked with edible and decorative gourds, autumn harvest arrangements and wreaths, various vegetables and more than enough canned goods.
Visit the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project's (ASAP) website to find tailgate markets, farm stands and holiday markets. For a list of local tailgate markets, and the days and times they are open, click HERE.
Tour Asheville's Farm-to-Table Restaurants
Asheville is known as the Paris of the South for its galleries, cafes and world-class food scene. Get an insider's view of the city's many farm-to-table restaurants through some of the local walking tours. There's Eating Asheville Walking Food Tours, created by two local restaurant veterans, offering tours from the basic to the posh. Asheville Food Tours visits six or seven handpicked restaurants and food shops.
Asheville Honey in Bee City USA
Asheville is also Bee City USA. The area loves its pollinators, which make possible up to two-thirds of what we eat.
Asheville Bee Charmer in downtown Asheville offers a wide selection of raw and pure honey from North Carolina and around the world.
Honey & the Hive is a bee-centric store in nearby Weaverville. The shop offers local honey, beekeeping needs and honey-based beauty products. It also has demonstrations geared toward both the advanced and aspiring beekeeper.
For a different honey experience, visit the WNC Farmers Market, which is brimming with honey and other locally made products.
Find Fresh Food
Each year, the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) publishes its Local Food Guide, a free publication to help you find local food and farms. This resource lists "Appalachian Grown" certified farms, farmers tailgate markets, and restaurants throughout the area. Look for the publication at the Asheville Visitor Center or view a digital version on the ASAP website.
