ASAP spotlights local greens for March

From Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project

Press Release

This month ASAP is celebrating local greens for their Get Local campaign. Even though the new season won’t officially arrive for a couple weeks, spring greens are here! Thanks to season extension, farmers are able to supply greens like lettuce and kale throughout the winter. From classic Southern collards with ham to fresh, raw kale salads, chefs get creative with these nutritious leafy veggies. Different varieties of greens are popping up in restaurant dishes and on farmers market tables

To celebrate greens, the following Appalachian Grown™ partner restaurants are greening their menus:

• On March 12, 6-8 pm, Early Girl Eatery is hosting A Celebration of CSA, a local food social and a local food social and fundraiser to showcase Appalachian Grown certified farms and support ASAP. Immediately following ASAP’s CSA Fair, the celebration will feature ingredients sourced directly from farms participating at the fair. Expect tasty small bites including local greens in a kale salad as well as mini-quiches, Korean chicken, local Monte Cristo sandwiches, and more. Tickets are $20 at apasconnections.org or Early Girl Eatery.
• The Omni at Grove Park Inn is buying spinach from Ivy Creek Family Farm, using it in a wide variety of ways including market vegetable, goat cheese and spinach raviolis, and incorporated into regular menu items as well.
• At Guadalupe Café in Sylva, they are using bibb lettuce from Sunny Creek Farm and greens and lettuce from Dawson Farm throughout their menu, and frequently in brunch and dinner specials, stir fries, filling for tacos, and more.
• The Market Place sources from a number of Appalachian Grown farms for their greens and lettuces including New River Organic Growers, The Culinary Gardener, and more.

Visit ASAP’s website at asapconnections.org/getlocal to find details on what’s happening this month. You can also Get Local at home: Find each month’s featured food—and other seasonal products—at your neighborhood farmers tailgate market, roadside stand, or grocery store. Browse for markets, stands, and stores via ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org.

ABOUT ASAP (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.