What if we told you that you could save money on fresh produce, support local farmers, and turn your kitchen into a farm-to-table restaurant, all in one fell swoop?
All you have to do? Sign up for a community supported agriculture (CSA) share. On Friday, March 10, the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project will host its annual CSA Fair from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the YWCA of Asheville.
The fair will feature 10+ area farms with weekly or biweekly shares that include various combinations of produce, herbs, fruit, pasture-raised meat, fresh-cut flowers, and eggs. There will also be tastings, kid’s activities, and food products available for purchase.
It’s also the perfect opportunity to meet the people who are growing your food, learn about various growing practices, and choose the best program and payment structure for your household.
Can’t make it? No worries, you can also sign up online with this directory of farms with CSA programs .
And while we have you here, check out these tips and tricks for making the most out of your CSA:
- See these five tips from local chef Susan Murray on how to evaluate what’s in your box and decide what to cook.
- Consider signing up for a cooking class for at Asheville Mountain Kitchen or The Asheville Kitchen to sharpen your skills.
- Follow local culinary stars and creators like Katie Button , Ashley English , and food writer Jonathon Ammons on social media for recipes.
- Prepare your kitchen for some serious cooking. We love this salad spinner , vegetable peeler , and easy-to-clean zester . And, for City Editor Laura, this set of chef’s knives from Global has transformed the experience of chopping vegetables (especially for thick, stubborn produce like butternut squash).