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.
Find a list of 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 2016 print guide hits stands in mid-April.
Central Mountains Regional Tailgate Markets
Asheville City Market: April 2, Saturdays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Asheville City Market – South: April 6, Wednesdays 12:00 – 4:00 pm
Black Mountain Tailgate Market: May 7, Saturdays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
East Asheville Tailgate Market: May 6, Fridays 3:00 – 6:00 pm
French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market: April 13, Wednesdays 2:00 – 6:00 pm
Leicester Farmers Market: April 2, Saturdays 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market: April 2, Saturdays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
North Asheville Tailgate Market: April 2, Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Oakley Farmers Market: May 5, Thursdays 3:30 – 6:30 pm
River Arts District Farmers Market: May 4, Wednesdays 2:00 – 6:00 pm
Sundays on the Island: April 9, Sundays 12:00 –
Weaverville Tailgate Market: April 13, Wednesdays 2:30 – 6:30 pm
West Asheville Tailgate Market: April 5, Wednesdays 3:30 – 6:30 pm
WNC Farmers Market: May 5, Open Everyday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Yancey County Farmers Market: April 16, Saturdays 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Foothills Regional Tailgate Markets
Caldwell County Farmers Market: May 7, Saturdays 7:00 am – 1:00 pm
Hildebran Farmers Market: May 3, Tuesdays 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Historic Marion Tailgate Market: May 3, Tuesdays 3:00 – 6:00 pm and Saturdays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lenoir Downtown Farmers Market: April 1, Wednesdays – Saturdays 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Morganton Farmers Market: May 7, Wednesdays 2:00 – 6:00 pm and Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Rutherford County Farmers Market: April 30, Tuesdays and Saturdays 8:00 am – 1:00 pm, Thursdays 3:00 – 7:00 pm
Sawmills Farmers Market: May 3, Tuesdays 3:00 – 6:30 pm
Valdese Farmers Market: May 11, Wednesdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm and Fridays 2:00 – 6:00 pm
Southern Mountains Regional Tailgate Markets
Columbus Tailgate Market: April 9, Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Flat Rock Farmers Market: May 5, 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: March 14, Saturdays 7:00 am – 12:00 pm
Mills River Farmers Market: May 7, Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Saluda Tailgate Market: May 6, Fridays 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Transylvania Farmers’ Market: April 23, Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Tailgate Market: May 5, Thursdays 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Near West Regional Tailgate Markets
Cashiers Tailgate Market: June 1, Wednesdays 12:00 – 4:00 pm
Cowee Farmers Market: May 10, Tuesdays 3:30 – 6:30 pm
Franklin Farmers Tailgate Market: April 2, Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market: April 16, Wednesdays and Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Jackson County Farmers Market: April 2, Saturdays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Original Waynesville Tailgate Market: May 14, Wednesdays and Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Swain County Farmers Market: May 6, Fridays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
‘Whee Market: April 5, Tuesdays 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Far West Regional Tailgate Markets
Andrews Farmers Market: June 4, Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Brasstown’s Farmers Market: May 25, Wednesdays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Cedar Valley Farmers Market: April 2, Saturdays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Graham County Farmers Market: July 9, Saturdays 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Hayesville Evening Market: May 5, Thursdays 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Mountain Valley Farmers Market: May 7, Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
High Country Regional Tailgate Markets
Alleghany County Farmers’ Market: May 2, Tuesdays 4:00 – 6:00 pm and Saturdays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ashe County Farmers Market: April 16, Wednesdays and Saturdays 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Avery County Farmers Market: April 21, Thursdays 4:30 – 7:00 pm
Bakersville Farmers Market: March 26, Saturdays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Blowing Rock Farmers Market: May 26, Thursdays 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Spruce Pine Farmers Market: May 4, Wednesdays 2:00 – 5:00 pm