Press release here:
Soon, asparagus spears will show themselves and tailgate markets will overflow with the scrumptious stalks, strawberries, and more. With spring so close, it’s the time to show a commitment to local food and farms and sign up for a CSA. To help those who are interested find the right farm share for them, Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) is hosting a free Meet Your Farmer CSA Fair on Saturday, March 26. The family friendly event, to be held from 2-6 pm at Asheville Brewing Company on Coxe Avenue in downtown Asheville, is an opportunity to meet farmers, learn about their farm share programs, and sample their CSA products and other goodies.
What is a CSA anyway? CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. As a CSA farm share member, you pay the farmer in advance for “shares” of the season’s bounty. Then, you get to enjoy a steady supply of fresh foods straight from the farm every week.
Just as our region’s farmers offer up a wide variety of products at tailgate markets and their farm stands, so do they with their CSA shares—from fruits and veggies to meats and even fresh-cut flowers. While spring/summer shares start soon, representatives from fall and winter CSAs will also be on hand to ensure everyone’s refrigerator and pantry are stocked with local food all year.
Farms slated to participate have CSA pick up locations in Asheville and include Foothills Family Farms (Old Fort), Flying Cloud Farm (Fairview), Gladheart Farms (Asheville), Jake’s Farm (Candler), Green Toe Ground Farm (Burnsville), Ivy Creek Family Farm (Barnardsville), Cane Creek Asparagus & Company (Fairview), Hickory Nut Gap Farm (Fairview), Full Sun Farm (Leicester), Hominy Valley Farms (Candler), Winter Sun Farms (Asheville), Cane Creek Valley Farm (Fletcher), and Long Valley Farm (Marshall).
For more information about the fair, visit asapconnections.org/csafair.html. Those unable to attend can browse the more than 90 farms offering CSAs in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at buyappalachian.org/search/csa.