It's strawberry season again. Though imported strawberries are available in grocery stores throughout the year, many prefer the taste of local berries, which are available in the Southern Appalachians only in the spring. Ask farmers market shoppers the reasons for their preference, and they'll cite the sweeter, more intense flavor and the redder flesh of […]

Family fare On a brisk spring morning at the Madison County Farmers and Artisans Market, Liza Myers of Leaning Willow Farms stands at her booth, where her farm-fresh eggs, salad greens and starts are neatly displayed. Her kale plants have almost sold out. "We're going to be offering lots of vegetable starts this year because […]

In spring, everything tastes fresher — even the flavors of farmstead cheeses. To the attuned tongue, cheese made from the milk of pasture-grazed animals has a milder flavor with subtle grassy notes earlier in the season. While some local farm crops may just be sprouting, milk production is plentiful now. That's why Get Local, Appalachian […]

How do you find authentically local food? Now that "local" has become a buzz word, sometimes indiscriminately slapped on products by advertisers, this is a question you have to ask. It's a question that Eatin' in Season hopes to help you answer. One way to identify authentically local food is to look for the "Appalachian […]

This week, we hear from Ruth Gonzalez, a former market farmer, avid gardener and founder of the Tailgate Market Fan Club. Gonzalez loves that she now lives within walking distance of tailgate markets and enjoys visiting them frequently with her daughter. "It's not because we are do-gooders," she says. "It's because we get super-fresh food […]

We're excited to introduce a new Xpress column — Eatin' in Season. Every other week, we'll highlight local produce and the folks who labor to bring it to us. In the months ahead, you'll discover what can be found at our local farmers markets and what to do with the bounty. You'll hear about the […]