ASAP’s Get Local aims to get you eating and celebrating

For Immediate Release

Initiative puts spotlight on seasonal foods and restaurants with strong commitment to local farms

ASHEVILLE, NC (January 13, 2014)—This year, it will be even easier to enjoy a meal at a WNC restaurant and know that what you’re eating is from a local farm. ASAP’s 2014 Get Local initiative is still all about the food, of course: it highlights an in-season local item each month. But, it’s also about area Appalachian Grown™ (AG) partner restaurants that go above and beyond when it comes to sourcing from local, AG certified farms for their menus. Throughout the year, these Get Local participants will offer specials highlighting the featured food of the month, and many will host exciting events—from multi-course meals to meet-the-farmer nights. All you have to do to Get Local is enjoy their dishes and celebrations.
“For the past several years, we’ve seen interest in Get Local grow, with chefs whipping up intensely creative dishes around the month’s ingredient,” says Molly Nicholie, ASAP’s Local Food Campaign director. “With the initiative in 2014, we want to shine the spotlight on them as well as the featured ingredient, giving these chefs even more opportunities to get inspired by our local bounty and diners more chances to connect with the source of their food.”
What foods made the featured list this year? January is meat month, and four eateries have mouthwatering plans.
Snag a local fried meat pie – think local pork belly with spinach, caramelized onions and cheese curds – at Early Girl Eatery; a percentage of the proceeds from the meat pie special will benefit ASAP.
Visit Farm Burger every weekend in January for a new Get Local Burger special featuring locally-raised meats and local toppings with a percent of proceeds benefiting ASAP.
Pick up fresh, local, house-made hot dogs from Foothills Farm and Butchery in Black Mountain; a new item for the store this month with the meat coming from the owners’ farm, Foothills Pasture Raised Meats.
Guadalupe Café in Sylva is adding even more local meat to their menu this month with rotating specials including queso con carne, bison chili, goat burgers, and pork chops.
Find a full list of 2014 featured foods below. Get Local products of the month are chosen with seasonality in mind. Winter months highlight products that can be found no matter how far down the mercury dips. Spring months showcase the first of the season’s bounty coming out of farmers’ fields. And summer and fall months put the spotlight on produce when at its peak—peak of both abundance and flavor.
 2014 Get Local Featured Foods
January: Meat
February: Cheese
March: Eggs
April: Roots
May: Greens
June: Berries
July: Beans
August: Tomatoes
September: Peppers
October: Apples
November: Potatoes
December: Winter Squash
 About ASAP:
Visit ASAP’s website at asapconnections.org/getlocal to find details on what’s happening each month. You can also Get Local at home: Find each month’s featured food—and other seasonal products—at your neighborhood AG certified farmers tailgate market, roadside stand, or grocery store. Browse for markets, stands, and stores via ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org.