ASAP hosts 6th annual CSA Fair March 10 in downtown Asheville

Press release:

CSA Time is Here

Area farmers are getting ready for the growing season and their CSA programs

ASHEVILLE, NC (February 25, 2016) — Spring is fast approaching. That means Western North Carolina farmers will soon begin harvesting asparagus, greens, and spring onions to sell at farmers tailgate markets and to pack directly for their CSA—or Community Supported Agriculture—farm share subscribers. To help those interested in a CSA find the right one for them, ASAP is hosting their Sixth Annual CSA Fair on Thursday, March 10, from 3 to 6 pm at Jubilee! (46 Wall Street in downtown Asheville). The free family-friendly event is an opportunity to meet area farmers, learn about their CSA programs and products and sign up.

Family farms offering traditional CSAs provide the chance to sign up to receive a box of produce or meats from their farm every week of the season. Many also feature add-on options such as eggs or fresh-cut flowers. Today, there are a growing number of CSAs moving beyond the traditional model with varied subscription sizes and flexible sign-up options. New models include “Market CSAs,” which allow shoppers to select their choice of product from a farm’s tailgate market booth each week. ASAP’s fair offers the opportunity to ask local farmers about production practices, pick up locations, and what makes their CSA unique.

Jeanne Coffin, a past CSA Fair attendee, says that she enjoys the fair because of meeting the farmers and seeing what products they offer. “I love pumpkins, and not everyone grows them, so that was something I was on the lookout for,” Coffin says, “It’s really encouraging to see the variety and depth of the CSA community in Western North Carolina that was represented at the fair.” When asked what advice she would give to fair attendees, Coffin offered, “Bring a pad and paper for notes, an open mind, and some ideas. It’s really helpful to know ahead of time what you’re looking for. And don’t forget your checkbook!”

All participating farms in the CSA Fair have pickup locations in Buncombe County. Below are the 16 diverse Appalachian Grown™ certified CSA providers slated to attend the fair. ASAP’s Appalachian Grown certification program identifies local food from family farms in the Southern Appalachians.

• A Way of Life Farm (Bostic)

• Blue Meadow Farms (Hendersonville)

• Flourish Flower Farm (Asheville)

• Franny’s Farm (Leicester)

• Full Sun Farm (Leicester)

• Gaining Ground Farm (Leicester)

• Hickory Nut Gap Farm (Fairview)

• Highgate Farm (Marshall)

• Ivy Creek Family Farm (Barnardsville)

• Long Valley Eco-Biotic Farm (Marshall)

• Olivette Farm (Alexander)

• Patchwork Urban Farms (Buncombe County)

• Root Bottom Farm (Marshall)

• Second Spring Market Garden (Alexander)

• Thatchmore Farm (Leicester)

• Whispersholler Farms LLC (Burnsville)

A local food taste test is also planned, along with children’s activities. This year’s event is sponsored by the Buncombe County Service Foundation. To learn more about the fair and ASAP’s work, visit asapconnections.org. Those unable to attend can browse local farms offering CSAs in ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org; the new 2016 print guide hits the stands in April.

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.