The mountains of North Carolina, and specifically the Asheville area, are known for their natural beauty and arts and crafts. Western North Carolina also enjoys an abundance of farms, farmers’ markets, tailgate markets, and restaurants offering a wide variety of unique and local groceries.
In summer these farms produce an impressive amount of produce. Many of these farms are scattered throughout the region and surround residential homes in the North Carolina mountains, which is a delight for homeowners and people considering moving to the area.
Asheville, being the epicenter of North Carolina’s mountain country, is the most likely place to start your search for a plethora of seasonal produce.
Asheville City Market
The Asheville City Market made its debut in the spring of 2008. It is located in the Public Works Building, 161 S. Charlotte St., just outside of downtown Asheville. It is home to more than 60 vendors and takes place every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
1. plants for your garden and landscape; 2. fresh products; 3. farm-raised meats, including lamb, pork, beef, and trout; 4. goat cheese (three vendors!); 5. eggs; 6. artisanal ice cream; 7. cider; 8. jams, preserves, sauces; 9.breads; cakes and cookies; 10.herbs; 11. honey, 12. natural soaps and other herbal body care products and gifts; 13. hand-sewn quilts and other modern and traditional mountain crafts; 14. NC fishing family shrimp.
For more information about the Asheville City Market, call: (828) 348-0430.
WNC Farmers Market
The WNC Farmers Market is another popular place to shop for local produce and crafts. Located at 570 Brevard Road in Asheville, NC, this market is situated in one of the most beautiful locations in the area, overlooking portions of the Biltmore Estate. It also enjoys panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
The WNC Farmers Market is one of five markets owned by the State of North Carolina; is operated by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It is open 7 days a week from April to October from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and from November to March from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Its retail area features displays of high-quality fruits and vegetables, mountain crafts, jams, jellies, preserves, sour syrup, and dozens of other farm-fresh items. Inside, you’ll also find a deli offering sandwiches and ice cream. For more information call (828) 253-1691.
Farm and Market Tours in Western North Carolina
On a more local level, North Carolina’s hill country also boasts numerous backdoor markets. The Mountain Tailgate Market Association is made up of local farmers and vendors from Buncombe and Madison counties. And, with a total of nine retail markets, this group offers Asheville, North Carolina homeowners a quick trip to select some of the freshest produce available in the area. For a complete list of these backdoor markets, visit:
http://www.asapconnections.org/special/mtma/MTMA.htm. (Note that these are just backdoor markets for Buncombe and Madison counties. In all, the Western North Carolina region has 39.)
A complete list is also available in the guide to local foods published by the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP). This guide is easily found throughout the city of Asheville, including the Chamber of Commerce, local grocery stores, and other ASAP supporters. The guide also lists farms and farm tours.
For example, the Mountain Farm and Garden Tour is an opportunity to reconnect with where the food comes from and the farmers who grow it. Visitors and residents alike can enjoy the scenic beauty of the mountain farms that make up the picturesque mountain landscape. People will have the opportunity to see farm animals, farm fruits and vegetables, and enjoy the best-tasting artisanal produce available anywhere. There are 29 farms participating in the Mountain Farms and Gardens Tour.
There are more than 1,500 rural family farms in Madison County alone. From farm tours to picking your own berries to picking and cutting Christmas trees, Madison County offers plenty to see, do and buy.
So while mountains, rivers, wildlife, and a cosmopolitan mountain town make Asheville an intriguing getaway, as well as a place to build a home in the mountains of North Carolina, being within reach of some of the communities The country’s most prized small farms only add to the charm of the area. and the ability to support sustainable agriculture.
