Tailgate Market Season is Here

Tailgate Market Season is Here

Area farmers markets begin opening outdoors on Saturday

Spring is here and the growing season is upon us! Tailgate tents are going up, and area farmers markets are opening outdoors for the season. Celebrate spring by getting a taste of what Appalachian Grown™ farms are growing. At early spring markets, find fresh greens, spring onions and asparagus; meats, cheeses, baked goods, value-added farm products like preserves, and a wide selection of plant starts. Produce offerings will differ from market to market based on the location of vendor farms—microclimates vary greatly in the region. But the season changes quickly, with new offerings sprouting up each week.

Asheville City Market, one of the region’s vibrant farmers markets, is moving to a new, street-closed location in downtown Asheville. Starting on April 1, Asheville City Market will be open on North Market Street, between Woodfin Street and East Walnut Street, where shoppers can enjoy open-air shopping for goods offered by local farmers, craftspeople, bakers, and lots of new vendors.

Find a list of other spring tailgate opening days below. For a complete list of the tailgate markets in the region, including their season start dates, visit ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org. The 2017 print guide hits stands in mid-April.

Central Mountains Regional Tailgate Markets:

• Asheville City Market: April 1, Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Asheville City Market – South: April 5, Wednesdays 12:00 – 4:00 pm
• Black Mountain Tailgate Market: May 6, Saturdays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
• East Asheville Tailgate Market: May 5, Fridays 3:00 – 6:00 pm
• French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market: April 19, Wednesdays 2:00 – 6:00 pm
• Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market: April 1, Saturdays 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
• North Asheville Tailgate Market: April 1, Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Oakley Farmers Market: May 4, Thursdays 3:30 – 6:30 pm
• River Arts District Farmers Market: May 3, Wednesdays 2:00 – 6:00 pm
• Sundays on the Island: April 1, Sundays 12:00 –
• Weaverville Tailgate Market: April 12, Wednesdays 2:30 – 6:30 pm
• West Asheville Tailgate Market: April 4, Tuesdays 3:30 – 6:30 pm
• WNC Farmers Market: Jan 1, Open Everyday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Yancey County Farmers Market: April 22, Saturdays 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

Foothills Regional Tailgate Markets:

• Caldwell County Farmers Market: May 6, Saturdays 7:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Hildebran Farmers Market: May 2, Tuesdays 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Historic Marion Tailgate Market: TBA
• Lenoir Downtown Farmers Market: April 1, Wednesdays – Saturdays 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Morganton Farmers Market: May 3, Wednesdays 2:00 – 6:00 pm and Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Rutherford County Farmers Market: April 15, Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Sawmills Farmers Market: May 2, Tuesdays 3:00 – 6:30 pm
• Valdese Farmers Market: May 12, Wednesdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm and Fridays 2:00 – 6:00 pm

Southern Mountains Regional Tailgate: 

• Columbus Tailgate Market: April 8, Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Flat Rock Farmers Market: May 4, Thursdays 3:00 – 6:00 pm
• Henderson County Curb Market: Year-round; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
• Henderson County Tailgate Market: April 1, Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Mills River Farmers Market: May 6, Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Saluda Tailgate Market: May 5, Fridays 4:30 – 6:30 pm
• Transylvania Farmers’ Market: April 1, Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Tryon Tailgate Market: May 3, Wednesdays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Near West Regional Tailgate Markets
• Franklin Farmers Tailgate Market: TBA
• Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market: April 15, Wednesdays and Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Jackson County Farmers Market: April 1, Saturdays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Original Waynesville Tailgate Market: May 6, Wednesdays and Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Swain County Farmers Market: May 5, Fridays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Whee Market: April 4, Tuesdays 4:00 – 7:00 pm

Far West Regional Tailgate Markets:

• Andrews Farmers Market: TBA
• Brasstown’s Farmers Market: April 26, Wednesdays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Cedar Valley Farmers Market: TBA
• Graham County Farmers Market: July 8, Saturdays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Hayesville Evening Market: May 5, Fridays 2:00 – 6:00 pm

High Country Regional Tailgate Markets:

• Alleghany County Farmers’ Market: May 6, Saturdays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Ashe County Farmers Market: April 15, Wednesdays and Saturdays 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Avery County Farmers Market: April 1, Thursdays 4:00 – 7:00 pm
• The Parkway Farmers Market: May 1, Saturdays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
• Spruce Pine Farmers Market: TBA

APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT

ASAP’s mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food. To learn more about ASAP’s work, visit asapconnections.org, or call (828) 236-1282.