Food & Beverage
Home Page Image: Abingdon, VA, Farmers’ Market; Above: Moyer Family Farm at Abingdon Farmers’ Market; Beech Mountain Farmers’ Market, photo by Jessica Dean
High Country Farmers’ Markets
Reap the Benefits of Shopping Local
By Kim S. Davis
Spring is here and with it begins another season of gathering at our High Country Farmers’ Markets. Whether you prefer the social experience of a Saturday morning spent browsing the stalls and chatting with neighbors while sipping locally made coffee and noshing on fresh homemade pastries, or weekday evening outings foraging for in-season ingredients and shopping for crafts that represent our mountain region, our mountain communities offer a variety of days, times and locations for gleaning local goods.
Whatever your motivation, there are so many excellent reasons to support our local farmers and artisans. Here, we highlight six of them…
Produce at the Peak of Freshness
Supermarkets surely serve a purpose—we are fortunate to have access to high quality grocery stores throughout our area, where you can browse the aisles to gather every ingredient you may need for a new or favorite recipe. However, there is no better ingredient than the freshest ingredient—especially when it comes to produce. Unlike some of the fruits and vegetables available in chain grocery stores which might be harvested before they’re fully ripe in order to have time to travel, often great distances, the produce at area farmers’ markets is picked at its peak, then quickly carried only a short distance.
Healthier Communities
Whether you eat for sustenance or pleasure, consuming food that is grown locally enhances both nourishment and flavor. The freshest foods retain higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Fruits and vegetables lose nutrients within twenty-four hours of being picked, so to have the opportunity to purchase just-picked produce is a healthy advantage.
Additionally, choosing locally grown and locally made products supports healthier local economies. Keeping your dollars in the area by purchasing from farmers and artisans who live and work nearby allows them to put their own earnings back into their communities, employ local farmworkers, and join you in growing our High Country economy.
Support Sustainable Farming
Sustainable growing practices of local farmers provide additional benefits for farmers’ market patrons. Box stores and big chains may offer produce, dairy, meats and fresh flowers that come mostly from large commercial farms, which utilize methods for amassing vast amounts of crops. Smaller farms are able to engage in more sustainable methods; in fact, the majority of High Country growers use either certified organic or chemical-free practices, which are considered healthier choices by many consumers.
The Price Is Right
Price and variety, once trade-offs for acquiring fresher, chemical-free products, might now be viewed as additional pluses. Previously, locally grown foods tended to be more expensive. But with continued rising costs at grocery stores, the difference in prices has narrowed, and in many cases, the healthier, fresher local options are comparably priced, or cheaper. As to variety, farmers’ markets stock only locally in-season items which might limit consumer choices. However, rather than being seen as negative, farmers’ market shoppers are presented with opportunities to try new and different ingredients and broaden their palates.
Expand Your Food Knowledge
Some of our area’s farmers’ markets offer cooking demonstrations, concocting dishes that include locally harvested, in-season items, and sharing recipes and tastes of unique available foods. Enjoy being educated about where your food comes from, the farming practices used, and how food is best prepared to maximize taste and nutrition. Our farmers and chefs are pleased to highlight foods that are indigenous to our region and provide opportunities to interact with them.
Bring Home Local Culture
Talented artisans present their wares at many of our farmers’ markets, offering one-of-a-kind arts, crafts and consumable goods that reflect our local culture and values. Knitted caps and scarves made with wool from local alpacas; honey gathered from local hives made from High Country wildflower or sourwood nectar; cheeses crafted in small batches from local goat and cows’ milk; and native plants and garden starts to enhance our landscapes—all are available at your local farmers’ markets.
Simply stated, High Country Farmers Markets build stronger and healthier communities. Local goods showcase regional talents and reflect our mountain spirit. This spring, reap the benefits and support the community by heading out to one or more of the many venues to experience, gather, learn about, and enjoy the bounties of our region.
Spring Farmers’ Markets
Our local Farmers’ Markets are open for the season! This convenient directory will help you find a market near you—please be sure to confirm dates/times with your markets of choice prior to scheduling a trip.
Abingdon Farmers Market
Saturdays 8 a.m.–12 p.m., and Tuesdays 3–6 p.m.
April–September/October
100 Remsburg Drive (the corner of Remsburg Dr. and Cummings St. in downtown Abingdon, VA
Alleghany Farmers Market
Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
May–October
Crouse Park in downtown Sparta, NC
Ashe County/West Jefferson Farmers Market
Saturdays 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
April–November
108 Backstreet, West Jefferson, NC
Avery County Farmers’ Market
Thursdays 3–6 p.m.
May – October
Next to the Historic Banner Elk School,
185 Azalea Circle, Banner Elk, NC
Beech Mountain Farmers’ Market
First Fridays 2–6 p.m.
June–October
In the public parking lot across from Fred’s General Mercantile, Beech Mountain, NC
Blowing Rock Farmers’ Market
Thursdays 1–5 p.m.
May–October
379 Sunset Drive, Blowing Rock, NC
Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture’s King Street Market
Tuesdays 3:30–6:30 p.m.
May–October
126 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone, NC
Damascus Farmers Market
Thursdays, 4-7 p.m.
May–October
At a temporary location for the 2026 season at The Speckled Trout Outfitters Annex lot across from Appalachian Heritage Distillery & Brewery, Damascus, VA
Johnson County Farmers’ Market
Saturdays 9 a.m.–Noon
May–October
Ralph Stout Park in Mountain City, TN
Lansing Park Farmers’ Market
Saturdays 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
April–October
Lansing Creeper Trail Park, 114 S Big Horse Creek Rd, Lansing, NC
Morganton Farmers’ Markets
Saturdays 8 a.m.–Noon
May–October
300 Beach St., Morganton, NC
Wednesday Mini Market, 10 a.m.– p.m.
May–October
111 North Green St., Morganton, NC
Town of Newland Flea & Farmers Market
Saturdays 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19
Riverwalk Bandstand at 211 River St., Newland, NC
Check their FB page, Town of Newland Flea & Farmers Market,
for updates
Watauga County Farmers’ Market
Saturdays 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
April–November
591 Horn in the West Dr, Boone, NC
Wilkes County/Wilkesboro Farmers’ Market
Saturdays 7:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m., April 18–September
Tuesdays 3:30–5:30 p.m., June 2–September
Yadkin Valley Marketplace in downtown N. Wilkesboro, NC
Yancey County Farmers Market
Saturdays 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
April through the fall season
22 W. Main Street in downtown Burnsville, NC
High Country Food Hub, operated by Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA)
A year-round online farmers’ market where you can order fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, artisan foods, cut flowers, body care products, and plants online and pick them up at one of seven convenient locations throughout Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties.
In addition to our local farmers’ markets, be sure to check out Shipley Farms Farm Store and Butcher’s Market for top-quality beef from pasture-fed cattle. For over 150 years, Shipley Farms has been rooted in the agricultural fabric of North Carolina’s High Country. Shop directly from their Farm Store, or find Shipley Farms products at farmers’ markets and other retail outlets throughout the region. Over on the farm, they offer Guided Walking Tours and Cattle Feeding tours, fun for the whole family!
Shipley Farms Farm Store
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
1699 Linville Creek Rd, Vilas, NC
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From the CML Kitchen…
By Meagan Goheen
Spring Four Pea Salad
with roasted chickpeas, burrata and pickled radishes
INGREDIENTS
5 oz baby arugula
6 oz snow peas
6 oz English peas
8 oz snap peas, trimmed and strings removed
1 tsp salt
1 cup mint, chopped
8 oz burrata
DRESSING
½ tsp salt
2 TBSP lemon juice
1 ½ TBSP balsamic vinegar
1 TBSP honey
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 small shallot, minced
¼ tsp ground black pepper
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
PICKLED RADISHES
1 small bunch of radishes, thinly sliced
½ cup white vinegar
½ cup water
1 ½ TBSP sugar
2 tsp salt
½ tsp whole peppercorns
ROASTED CHICKPEAS
1 15 oz can chickpeas
1 TBSP olive oil
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground black pepper
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
DIRECTIONS
-Add the thinly sliced radishes to an airtight container.
-To a small pot add vinegar, sugar, salt and peppercorns; heat until dissolved, pour over radishes and set aside.
-Mix dressing ingredients together and set aside.
-Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
-Rinse, drain and dry chickpeas.
-Toss with olive oil and spices.
-Roast for about 20-30 minutes tossing halfway through until crispy.
-Boil a large pot of water and add 1 tsp of salt; once boiling, prepare an ice bath.
-To the boiling water add the snow peas, English peas and snap peas and cook for about 1-2 minutes until tender-crisp.
-Transfer peas to ice water to cool completely. Drain well and pat dry.
-To your platter add arugula, chilled peas and chopped mint.
-Toss with dressing, top with pickled radishes and roasted chickpeas. Tear the burrata into pieces.
Serve and enjoy!