Springtime tailgate markets popping up: Where to shop this season

Posted on by Abigail Griffin
Western North Carolina farmers markets are springing up! 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 and, of course, flowers. Photo courtesy of ASAP

(Go to the bottom of this article for a listing of local tailgate markets)

When the springtime flowers start popping up in the mountains, the tailgate markets are never far behind. Though the full harvest is still around the corner, many markets have already begun selling fresh, local foods in outdoor locations around the region — offering the community the opportunity to head out into the elements to do weekly food shopping.

Photo courtesy of ASAP
Photo courtesy of ASAP

Market enthusiasts can expect more of what they love at market this season — fresh, locally grown produce, eggs and meat, fruits and berries, baked goods, flowers, herbs, a wide variety of specialty products, cooking demonstrations, live music and entertainment. In addition to what marketgoers have come to love and expect, there are some exciting changes in store for shoppers this year as well.

One of the biggest developments comes with the popular downtown Asheville City Market. Going into its 10th year, the large market has moved to a new location: North Market Street between Woodfin and Walnut streets. Joining the ranks of other cities, like Greenville and Columbia, S.C., this tailgate market takes over an entire section of a downtown street. Asheville City Market manager Mike McCreary is excited about the new home and says that vendors “are expecting the new location to have a significant impact in attracting new customers into the downtown region.” Downtown shoppers will be able to enjoy open-air shopping for goods offered by many of the same local farmers, craftspeople and bakers — while also having the opportunity to get to know some new vendors that are being added into the mix.

Photo courtesy of ASAP
Photo courtesy of ASAP

In addition to the changes at the Asheville City Market, the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project noted that more and more markets will be offering SNAP/EBT benefits for lower-income shoppers this year. At participating markets, it is simple for folks to use their EBT cards — EBT users can just bring their card to the information booth at the market, swipe the card for the amount of money that they want to spend and receive the amount of money in market tokens to use with eligible market vendors.

For new shoppers headed out to experience the bounty of a mountain tailgate market for the first time, make sure to bring your own bags, some sunscreen and know what form of payment is acceptable at the market you are going to (take a look at the comprehensive list below). Remember that tailgate markets are a great way to connect with community — other marketgoers and local farmers. You won’t find resold goods, but rather a smorgasbord of shoppers, farmers and artisans with stories behind their businesses, farms, the food they grow and the products they create.

For more information about local tailgate markets and farmers, go to appalachiangrown.org. You can also find a weekly market report from ASAP on fromhere.org.

McConnell Straweberry kids (5)
Have a hankering to shop your local tailgate market? Find a list of local tailgate markets below. For a complete list of the tailgate markets in the entire Southern Appalachian region, visit ASAP’s online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org. Photo courtesy of ASAP

 

Sort markets by:

| Day  |  Accepts EBT |  Accepts Credit/Debit |
| Asheville Markets  | Area Markets  |

By Day

Every day

Tuesdays

  • West Asheville Tailgate Market
    701 Haywood Road
    westashevilletailgatemarket.com
    Tuesdays, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Henderson County Curb Market
    221 N. Church St. and Second Avenue, Hendersonville
    curbmarket.com/wordpress/#.VxbFJseX-zg
    Open year-round, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • ‘Whee Market
    The Village of Forest Hills, Cullowhee
    Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m.

Wednesdays

  • Asheville City Market – South
    Town Square Boulevard., Biltmore Park Town Square
    goo.gl/lv4y7V
    Wednesdays, noon-4 p.m.
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market
    76 Biltmore Ave.
    goo.gl/63UMsq
    Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m.
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • River Arts District Farmers Market
    175 Clingman Ave.
    radfarmersmarket.wix.com/rad-farmers-market
    Opens May 3, Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m.
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market
    250 Pigeon St., Waynesville
    waynesvillefarmersmarket.com
    Opens April 15, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Original Waynesville Tailgate Market
    171 Legion Drive, Waynesville 
    waynesvilletailgatemarket.com
    Opens May 6, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    EBT/SNAP
  • Weaverville Tailgate Market
    60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville
    weavervilletailgate.org
    Wednesdays, 2:30-6:30 p.m.
    Credit/debit

Thursdays

Fridays

Saturdays

  • Asheville City Market
    North Market Street between Woodfin and Walnut streets
    goo.gl/HSvW4V
    Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • North Asheville Tailgate Market
    UNC Asheville, University Heights Boulevard, parking lot P28
    northashevilletailgatemarket.com
    Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Black Mountain Tailgate Market
    130 Montreat Road, Black Mountain
    blackmountainmarket.org
    Opens May 6, Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon
  • Fairview Farmers Market
    1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview
    fairviewfarmersmarket.org
    Opens May 6, Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market
    250 Pigeon St., Waynesville
    waynesvillefarmersmarket.com
    Opens April 15, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Henderson County Curb Market
    221 N. Church St. and Second Avenue, Hendersonville
    curbmarket.com/wordpress/#.VxbFJseX-zg
    Open year-round, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Henderson County Tailgate Market
    100 N. King St., Hendersonville
    facebook.com/hendersoncountytailgatemarket
    Saturdays, 7 a.m.-noon
  • Leicester Farmers Market
    338 Leicester Highway, Leicester
    Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Credit/debit
  • Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market
    Mars Hill University, Highway 213, Mars Hill
    marshillmarket.org
    Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
    Credit/debit
  • Mills River Farmers Market
    94 Schoolhouse Road, Mills River
    facebook.com/Mills-River-Farmers-Market-111947272161081/
    Opens May 6, Saturdays, 7 a.m.-noon
    EBT/SNAP
  • Original Waynesville Tailgate Market
    171 Legion Drive, Waynesville
    waynesvilletailgatemarket.com
    Opens May 6, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    EBT/SNAP
  • Transylvania Farmers Market
    190 E. Main St., Brevard
    transylvaniafarmersmarket.com
    Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    Credit/Debit
  • Yancey County Farmers Market
    Town Center, Burnsville
    yanceycountyfarmersmarket.wordpress.com
    Opens April 22, Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Sundays

  • Sundays on the Island
    Blanahasset Island, Marshall
    Sundays, noon

Accepts EBT

  • Asheville City Market
    North Market Street between Woodfin and Walnut streets
    goo.gl/HSvW4V
    Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Asheville City Market – South
    Town Square Boulevard, Biltmore Park Town Square
    goo.gl/lv4y7V
    Wednesdays, noon-4 p.m.
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • East Asheville Tailgate Market
    954 Tunnel Road
    eastashevilletailgatemarket.com
    Opens May 6, Fridays, 3-6 p.m.
    Credit/debit/EBT
  • Fairview Farmers Market
    1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview
    fairviewfarmersmarket.org
    Opens May 6, Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market
    76 Biltmore Ave.
    goo.gl/63UMsq
    Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m.
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market
    250 Pigeon St., Waynesville
    waynesvillefarmersmarket.com
    Opens April 15, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market
    Mars Hill University, Highway 213, Mars Hill
    marshillmarket.org
    Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
    Credit/debit/EBT/SNAP
  • Mills River Farmers Market
    94 Schoolhouse Road, Mills River
    facebook.com/Mills-River-Farmers-Market-111947272161081/
    Opens May 6, Saturdays, 7 a.m.-noon
    EBT/SNAP
  • North Asheville Tailgate Market
    UNC Asheville, University Heights Boulevard, parking lot P28
    northashevilletailgatemarket.com
    Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    Credit/Debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Original Waynesville Tailgate Market
    171 Legion Drive, Waynesville
    waynesvilletailgatemarket.com
    Opens May 6, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    EBT/SNAP
  • River Arts District Farmers Market
    175 Clingman Ave.
    radfarmersmarket.wix.com/rad-farmers-market
    Wednesdays 2-6 p.m.
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Saluda Tailgate Market
    West Main Street, Saluda
    saludatailgate.com
    Opens May 5, Fridays, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • West Asheville Tailgate Market
    701 Haywood Road
    westashevilletailgatemarket.com
    Tuesdays, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
    Credit/Debit, EBT/SNAP

Accepts Credit/Debit

  • Asheville City Market
    North Market Street between Woodfin and Walnut streets
    goo.gl/HSvW4V
    Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Asheville City Market – South
    Town Square Boulevard, Biltmore Park Town Square
    goo.gl/lv4y7V
    Wednesdays, noon-4 p.m.
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • East Asheville Tailgate Market
    954 Tunnel Road
    eastashevilletailgatemarket.com
    Opens May 6, Fridays 3-6 p.m.
    Credit/Debit/EBT/SNAP
  • Fairview Farmers Market
    1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview
    fairviewfarmersmarket.org
    Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • French Broad Food Co-op Wednesday Tailgate Market
    76 Biltmore Ave.
    goo.gl/63UMsq
    Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m.
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market
    250 Pigeon St., Waynesville
    waynesvillefarmersmarket.com
    Opens April 15, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Leicester Farmers Market
    338 Leicester Highway, Leicester
    Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Credit/debit
  • Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market
    Mars Hill University, Highway 213, Mars Hill
    marshillmarket.org
    Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
    Credit/Debit/EBT/SNAP
  • North Asheville Tailgate Market
    UNC Asheville, University Heights Blvd., parking lot P28
    northashevilletailgatemarket.com
    Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Oakley Farmers Market
    115 Fairview Road
    oakleyfarmersmarket.wordpress.com
    Opens May 4, Thursdays, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
    Credit/debit
  • River Arts District Farmers Market
    175 Clingman Ave.
    radfarmersmarket.wix.com/rad-farmers-market
    Opens May 3, Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m.
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Saluda Tailgate Market
    West Main Street, Saluda
    saludatailgate.com
    Opens May 5, Fridays, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
    Credit/Debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Transylvania Farmers Market
    190 E. Main St., Brevard
    transylvaniafarmersmarket.com
    Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    Credit/debit
  • Weaverville Tailgate Market
    60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville
    weavervilletailgate.org
    Wednesdays, 2:30-6:30 p.m.
    Credit/debit
  • West Asheville Tailgate Market
    701 Haywood Road
    westashevilletailgatemarket.com
    Tuesdays, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
    Credit/Debit, EBT/SNAP

Asheville Markets

Area Markets

  • Black Mountain Tailgate Market
    130 Montreat Road, Black Mountain
    blackmountainmarket.org
    Opens May 6, Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon
  • Flat Rock Farmers Market
    2720 Greenville Highway,Flat Rock
    flatrockfarmersmarket.com
    Opens May 4, Thursdays, 3-6 p.m.
  • Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market
    250 Pigeon St., Waynesville
    waynesvillefarmersmarket.com
    Opens April 15, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    Credit/debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Henderson County Curb Market
    221 N. Church St. and Second Avenue, Hendersonville
    curbmarket.com/wordpress/#.VxbFJseX-zg
    Open year-round, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays  8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Henderson County Tailgate Market
    100 N. King St., Hendersonville
    facebook.com/hendersoncountytailgatemarket
    Saturdays, 7 a.m.-noon
  • Leicester Farmers Market
    338 Leicester Highway, Leicester
    Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Credit/debit
  • Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market
    Mars Hill University, Highway 213, Mars Hill
    marshillmarket.org
    Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
    Credit/debit/EBT/SNAP
  • Mills River Farmers Market
    94 Schoolhouse Road, Mills River
    facebook.com/Mills-River-Farmers-Market-111947272161081/
    Opens May 6, Saturdays, 7 a.m.-noon
    EBT/SNAP
  • Original Waynesville Tailgate Market
    171 Legion Drive, Waynesville
    waynesvilletailgatemarket.com
    Opens May 6, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    EBT/SNAP
  • Saluda Tailgate Market
    West Main Street, Saluda
    saludatailgate.com
    Opens May 5, Fridays, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
    Credit/Debit, EBT/SNAP
  • Sundays on the Island
    Blanahasset Island, Marshall
    Sundays, noon
  • Transylvania Farmers Market
    190 E. Main St., Brevard
    transylvaniafarmersmarket.com
    Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
    Credit/debit
  • Weaverville Tailgate Market
    60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville
    weavervilletailgate.org
    Wednesdays, 2:30-6:30 p.m.
    Credit/Debit
  • ‘Whee Market
    The Village of Forest Hills, Cullowhee
    Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m.
  • Yancey County Farmers Market
    Town Center, Burnsville
    yanceycountyfarmersmarket.wordpress.com
    Opens April 22, Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

 

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