08.31.2023

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Today’s Forecast

42º | Cloudy | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:40 a.m. | Sunset 5:30 p.m.

How to harvest with the Asheville Edibles Map

Dig into the revamped Asheville Edibles Map

You can find all sorts of edibles with a pecan-do attitude. | Photo via The City of Asheville

New developments are sprouting up with the Asheville Edibles Map thanks to a partnership between the City of Asheville, Bountiful Cities, and the Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council.

Back in 2018, the Council collaborated with several City departments + UNC Asheville students to create a database highlighting edible plants throughout Asheville. In the map’s latest relaunch, the crowd-sourced information about edibles in the area is now being vetted by local nonprofit Bountiful Cities to ensure accurate details for users.

The map is a resource for fresh finds but also functions to aid those experiencing food insecurity by highlighting the abundance of shared food in our community.

Let’s take a tour

View of the Asheville Edibles Map — Find treasures marked in different colors on the map.
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Photo via The City of Asheville

The map breaks down safe-to-eat perennials by type + where you can find them within the Asheville city limits — plus, pictures are attached with each location so you know what to look for. Here are a few categories to explore:

Community Gardens

The map highlights 20+ community gardens with continual harvests that you can explore and help cultivate, including 12 Baskets Community Garden, Elder & Sage Community Garden, and the WECAN Community Garden. When you’re navigating locations on the map, be sure to check the attached notes for garden guidelines.

People working in Joyner Community Garden, one of the gardens listed on the Asheville Edibles Map. — Dedicated volunteers keep the Joyner Community Garden thriving.
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Photo via @peacegardener

Black Cherry

This fruit’s peak season is happening now through October, so this is the perfect time to start gathering your harvest — if you’re feeling creative, you could even make your own jam. The map shows a large hub of black cherries in the West Asheville area.

Orchards

There are currently seven orchards on the map, offering a variety of fruit trees + nuts. Among the spots listed is George Washington Carver Edible Park, the oldest community food forest on the East Coast.

Know a site with edible offerings not listed on the map? Fill out this form to contribute to the bounty.

Events

Thursday, Aug. 31

Beam Me Up Asheville: A Star Trek Comedy Show | Thursday, Aug. 31 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville | $15-$20 | Intergalactic laughter and cosmic jokes will abound as comedy + improv transport you to the final frontier.
Vinyl Night | Thursday, Aug. 31 | 7-10 p.m. | Cultura, 147 Coxe Ave, Asheville | Free | Get your groove on with DJ Lil Meow Meow spinning vibey vinyl cuts.

Friday, Sept. 1

Environmental Justice in Southern Appalachia & The American South | Friday, Sept. 1 | 4-5:30 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | Learn from UNCA student Andie Fox about the history of environmental activism across the South with information from their zine.
Pack Square Artisan Market | Friday, Sept. 1-Friday, Oct. 27 | 1-8 p.m. | N. Pack Square, Asheville | Free | This family-friendly, juried market features handmade goods from local + independent artists.

Saturday, Sept. 2

Grape Stomp 2023 | Saturday, Sept. 2 | 1-4 p.m. | plēb urban winery, 289 Lyman St., Asheville | Free | Raise a glass to the winery’s five-year anniversary, and stomp fresh grapes from local vineyards.
Summer Block Party and Ice Cream Social | Saturday, Sept. 2-Sunday, Sept. 3 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Odyssey ClayWorks, 236 Clingman Ave. Ext., Asheville | Free | Enjoy a root beer float in a handmade mug while browsing discounted pottery.
The Best of Both Worlds: Big and Small | Saturday, Sept. 2 | 4-7 p.m. | The Gallery at Plays in Mud Pottery, 735C Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | In this ceramic arts exhibition, Tori Motyl’s large vessels in dazzling color demand space and attention while Kelsey Schissel’s intricate vases evoke nature’s beauty in miniature.**

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Seasonal

With fall right around the corner, it’s coming time to enjoy the beautiful changing leaves. While predictions are always subject to change, Dr. Howard Neufeld, professor of plant ecophysiology at Appalachian State University, says that the leaves could reach their color peak in the Asheville area in late October. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Talk

The next Building Our City speaker series has been announced, kicking off with featured speaker Eve Picker on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. at The Collider. Eve created and runs Small Change, a real estate equity crowdfunding portal that helps fund transformational real estate projects. Register for the free event. (Mountain Xpress)

Ranked

No. 7. That’s where Nesbitt Discovery Academy falls on U.S. News and World Report’s list of “Best North Carolina High Schools.” The STEAM school received the ranking based on factors including college readiness and state assessment proficiency + performance. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Giveaway

Asheville GreenWorks is giving you the chance to win a native pollinator garden, complete with a consultation, site prep, at least 30 pollinator plants, and a management plan. Purchase a $25 raffle ticket to be entered — 200 tickets are available, with proceeds benefiting the Symbolic Monarch Migration program.

Plan Ahead

Sweeten Creek Brewing cordially invites you to attend a Hobbit Affair on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 3 to 8 p.m. Arrive dressed in your finest fantasy attire to enjoy tunes, bites, and pints of ale.

Family

Join the YMCA of WNC for Cooking Matters — a free, online education series for parents + caregivers led by local health and lifestyle coaches, dieticians, and chefs. Bonus: Kids are welcome to join. Learn more and register.*

Festival

🥘 Dig in at Chow Chow Festival

Satisfy your hunger for cuisine and community at this year’s Chow Chow Festival

This is your sign to join the fun at Chow Chow. | Photo via Chow Chow Festival

Explore what’s fresh in Asheville’s food scene at this year’s Chow Chow Festival, happening Thursday, Sept. 7 through Saturday, Sept. 10. Get ready to nourish our area’s equitable and thriving food system (not to mention your stomach) with a variety of tasting events, chef dinners, and workshops.

For 40+ bites and bevs, snag a single-day or weekend ticket for the Tasting Bazaar in Pack Square Park, ranging from $125 to $300. In an effort to make the experience accessible, the festival is offering six pay-what-you-can options, including seminars + Tasting Bazaar tickets for Sunday. Plus, the Food Truck Rodeo and Asheville City Market will be open to the public so you can nosh on Asheville’s finest mobile dining options and pick up fresh produce.

For signature events, food tours, classes, and so much more, browse the full schedule.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Grace

From the editor

During my time at App State, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Howard Neufeld (aka the “Fall Color Guy”) for a package on the Appalachian Weekly News — and I still look forward to his Fall Color Report each year.

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