Bryson City Farmer's Market

The Bryson City Farmer's Market kicked off on Friday May 7th. I missed the first week but was able to go out last Friday and see what the local foodies had to offer. It is impressive to see how many local growers we have here in western NC. It seems like the more I search around the more I find and my trips to the grocery store become fewer and far between. Even though it is still very early in the season there was plenty to choose from. Of course I stopped by the tent of my friends from Sleepy Hollow Farm , as well as met several other local growers. As the summer progresses there will be even more produce but I was able to pick up some delicious honey, jam, leafy greens, eggs, trout, and beautiful flowers. If you are around town on Fridays this summer from 9am-1pm stop by and check out all of the fantastic food.
The Balltown Bee Farm, located right here in Bryson City, has lots to offer, including a couple of varieties of delicious honey. They are incredibly friendly and were more than happy to answer all of my questions about their bees and farm.
Just as I was getting ready to leave, Shelton Family Farm pulled up with a van full of fresh picked strawberries, which I could not resist. Throughout the summer the Shelton Family has a variety of beautiful produce. They offer the option of purchasing a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) box early in the season or just picking up what you need at the farmer's market.

Visit to Sleepy Hollow Farm

You know you are in good hands when a farmer calls his hens by name. The man and I have been buying eggs and vegetables from Sleepy Hollow Farm for about a year now. I don't think I will ever be able to go back to grocery store eggs again. As a consumer it is important to me to know that people take pride in the products that they sell, that someone puts their name on it and believes in what they do. When you visit a small farm that is what you get, people who love their animals and care about the food they are selling you. When I visit Joan and Mike, owners of Sleepy Hollow Farm, they talk to me, answer my questions, teach me about gardening, and let me visit the ladies (the chickens). Their garden is immaculate and their birds are beautiful. This trip I came home with 3 dozen brown eggs, spinach, lettuce mix, radishes, and tomato, squash, and zucchini plants for my garden. It was most excellent. If you are around Bryson City, NC stop by their farm, visit their ladies, pick some veggies with them, and leave knowing that the food that you are your family will be eating is healthy and was grown with pride. They will also be at the Bryson City Farmer's Market on Friday mornings throughout the summer.




To see more pictures of my visit to Sleepy Hollow Farm visit my photo album.

Acheville Farmer's Market

Today was the first Saturday of the Asheville City Farmer's Market. I have been looking forward to the market season because it means spring is in full swing and summer is just around the corner. I convinced my mother in-law, which really did not require much because she appreciates good food as much as I do, to make a little trip to Asheville with me to meet the farmers and check out the early season produce. Usually during the growing season I shop at the markets in Sylva and Bryson City because they are much closer to my house but it was a treat to spend a day in the big city. I am constantly amazed by how many food producers we have in western NC. I was able to sample local goat cheese, meat, veggies, homemade pasta, and pastries. Because it is so early several sellers also had vegetable plants available for anyone who would like to start their own garden. I was also given an early birthday present from my grandparents in-law who bought me a fig tree and pineapple sage (which actually smells just like pineapple). I cannot wait for our first figs to come in. It was really amazing to see so many people excited enough about fresh organic food to get to the market by 8am on a Saturday morning. Here are just a few of the items available:

Meat from Hickory Nut Gap Meats: You can order or visit their farm store some time and see the animals.
Pasta from Pasta Wench: visit them online and try for yourself, really yummy.
Goat cheese from Spinning Spider Creamery: you can one day ship from their online store or pick some up at various locations in Asheville including Earth Fare, Greenlife, and several others.
After walking around and sampling everything we made our way to Tupelo Honey Cafe for breakfast where there is usually a line but well worth the wait. Everything was delicious. It was a perfect day of food.

For the Love of Food

I love food. I am not so much into quantity but quality. Exploring local food options has become an obsession of mine. Any time we are planning a trip I immediately research the food scene of our destination. So for my first post I want to share one of my all time favorite places to eat. It happens to be in my home town, lucky me. Guadalupe Cafe in Sylva, NC is a tapas and wine restaurant (with an excellent beer selection) featuring Caribbean influenced menu. One of the things that I love the most about this local eatery is that they understand how important it is to support the local community by way of buying from local farmers, including delicious local goat cheese, as well as featuring local artists around the cafe. My favorite is the build your own burrito. Mine is: greens, goat cheese and avocado. Yes, always the same, I just love it so much. Next time you are exploring the beautiful mountains of western NC you should stop by. Bon appetit!