ISO fresh produce? If you love to cook, you might be feeling hard hit by sparse shelves at some of our area grocery stores. But area farmers are rising to the challenge, which means it’s a great time to go local with mealtimes. |
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Ready to shop? Here are the latest updates on how to have your veggies – and eat them, too.
• The WNC Farmers Market (570 Brevard Rd.) is open for business daily from 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. Find fruits + veggies, plus other staples like meats, cheese, beans, preserves, salsas, honey + condiments.
• ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has organized a new farmers market at A-B Tech, happening Saturdays from 9 a.m.-12 p.m in the A2, A3, and A7 parking lots. The market is designed to comply with CDC guidelines and mitigate viral transmission points, including by strictly controlling the number of people who enter. Protip: Payment is online and completed after you shop.
• For $25, you can order a box of produce from The Culinary Gardener and either pay ahead of time or when you pick it up in downtown Asheville. Boxes will contain radishes, spinach, green garlic, salad mix + more.
• Looking for meat? Hickory Nut Gap Farm (57 Sugar Hollow Rd., Fairview) specializes in pork, poultry + beef and has transitioned to drive-through pickups only (Wed.-Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.). Butchery will be offering pre-packed boxes of various cuts for pick up. Bonus: The deli offers prepaid lunch orders from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Wed.-Sun.
• CSAs are also currently enrolling. CSA stands for “community shared agriculture,” and means that you pay into a farm for a season by pre-purchasing a half- or full-share. Check out CSAs in the Asheville area here, and find Hendersonville CSAs here.
• Mountain Food Products is offering a multi-farm CSA. The sign-up deadline to lock in early bird pricing is March 31, and delivery starts May 28. And, if you’re new to the CSA scene – or home cooking in general – be sure to read this Voices piece that shares five tips on how to use your CSA basket.
Are you eating more local produce these days? Or, have you started a garden this year? We’d love to hear about it.
You can find the latest tips on food safety + COVID-19 here. |
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How are you eating local? |
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Buying straight from farmers at markets, stands, or CSAs |
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Getting take-out from local restaurants |
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Foraging and/or hunting for wild foods |
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Picking up local items from the grocery store |
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We hope we're keeping you fed with the latest informations, updates + news. Pass the plate over to a friend who hasn't subscribed yet by clicking the buttons below. ⬇️ |
Coronavirus
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○ As of 8 p.m. Mar. 26 through 6 a.m. April 9, Buncombe County residents must stay home. Board of Commissioners Chairman Brownie Newman signed a "Stay home, stay safe" measure, which orders people to stay in their homes except under specific circumstances and only allows essential businesses to remain operational. Violating the order is a Class 2 misdemeanor. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
○ The first COVID-19 related death has been reported in N.C. The victim was from Cabarrus County and died yesterday. They were in their late seventies + had several underlying medical conditions. A second person from Virginia in their sixties also died from COVID-19 complications while traveling through N.C. (WBTW)
○ Great Smoky Mountains National Park will close to the public until April 6. The decision was made after 30,000 people traveled to the park each day last week from across the country. Foothills Parkway and The Spur, which connect Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge, will remain open for thru-traffic. Parts of the Appalachian + Mountains-to-Sea Trail are also affected by the closure.
○ Several area stores — including Dollar General, Ingles, + Fresh Market — are now offering senior-only shopping hours to reduce risk and seniors shop more safely. Please check each store’s hours and shop accordingly. (News & Observer)
○ All APD buildings, including the Municipal Building and all district resource centers, are closed to the public effective immediately to help protect the community from the spread of COVID-19 + ensure safety for officers and personnel. Employees who are able to complete their work off site are working remotely in a telecommuting mode. All essential police, fire, sanitation, transit + water services are being maintained. (asheville.com)
○ The Asheville Police Department is amending their patrol response procedures to protect officers, personnel + residents from potential coronavirus infection. Effective immediately, all non-emergency calls (including lost property, fraud, and stolen property of less than $1,000 in value) will be handled by an officer via telephone. (Asheville Citizen-TImes)
○ Local distillery Cultivated Cocktails is pitching in to fight coronavirus by helping produce hand sanitizer. It costs about $1,500 to make around 200 one-liter units of sanitizer. The solution is created by distilling 190-proof alcohol with water. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
○ People are getting outside more these days, but trail etiquette is especially important at this time. Before you head out, make sure you’ll be able to follow these guidelines, which include having a plan, prepping food and emergency supplies, hiking in small groups of one or two people, stepping off the trail to allow others to pass with six feet of distance + more. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Click the button below for local resources regarding the coronavirus.
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Hey, there. Looking for today’s #MustDo events? In accordance with the
CDC’s recommendations regarding public gatherings, we have decided to postpone public event coverage for the time being. We look forward to bringing you Asheville’s #MustDo events soon (until then, feel free to submit your virtual events
here).
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#AVLtoday
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Here’s one more way to eat local. The Asheville Masonic Temple (80 Broadway) has set up an impromptu food truck lot to serve lunch to downtown residents + workers. Cecilia’s Kitchen, Root Down + Food Stop were taking orders yesterday. Check in with participating food trucks to find hours, menus + more. 🥡 |
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News Notes
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Weather
○ 67º | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain
State ○ North Carolina has extended the state tax filing deadline to July 15, paralleling the extension of the federal tax filing. The N.C. Department of Revenue will not charge penalties for filing after April 15 as long as people meet the new deadline. However, tax payments received after April 15 will be charged interest that has accrued between the 15th and the payment date. 💰 ○ N.C. is among the bottom ten states for Census response. They rank 41st with just under 17% of households responding, compared to 19% of households nationally. West Virginia is the only southeastern state with a lower response score. The lowest response counties are primarily in WNC and include Graham, Jackson, Avery + Watauga. 🏘️ (NC Demography)
DYK
○ Have questions about paying your rent or mortgage? Mosaic Realty published a list of FAQs all about payments, forbearance, evictions + more as people face possible income loss at this time. ○ The AARP is cautioning people to avoid being defrauded during the COVID-19 pandemic. They recommend signing up for their FraudWatch service, which includes two WatchDog alerts a month and is available without a membership requirement. Alerts include information on current scams and how to protect yourself. 💸
WaterCooler
○ Congrats to WCU men’s basketball coach Mark Prosser, recipient of the national 2020 Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award. The award, named after Mark’s father, recognizes achievement + moral integrity on and off the court. Under his leadership, the Catamounts achieved a 19-12 record and the second-most improved mark across NCAA Division I’s men’s basketball. Skip Prosser was head coach at Wake Forest, Xavier + Loyola. 🏀
Development
○ A new mixed-use development, Garrison Reserve, is being considered by Weaverville’s Town Council. The plans include 25,000+ square feet of multi-tenant development, office + retail space, mini-warehouses, and an area for a restaurant or drive-through. Developers are currently seeking a conditional zoning district. 🏗️ (Weaverville Tribune)
Dish
○ Wild Heart Farm & Sanctuary, a non-profit farm + animal sanctuary, is raising funds to help with their mission: to provide the community with produce, flowers, nuts + seeds for free. Anticipating a high demand due to the effects COVID-19, the farm is hoping to raise $4,500 to scale up operations. Donate here. 🌾
Arts
○ The Quarantine Concert Series has been cancelled until further notice. The collab between IamAvl, The Orange Peel + area musicians offered livestream shows from local artists. You can still check out previously recorded performances here. 🎸 (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Community
○ Looking for a little distraction during quarantine? Local + regional storytellers (including AVLtoday Editor Ali!) will take the virtual stage tonight at 7:30 p.m. for a special streaming installment of “Listen To This,” the long-running storytelling event founded by comedian Tom Chalmers. The theme is Animal Eviction Stories. Zoom in here. 🦝
Edu
○ UNC Asheville is now hosting digital campus visits to continue connecting potential future students to UNC Asheville. The digital option is available during the same times as the previously scheduled visits – more info here. Ⓟ
DealsOfTheDay
○ Need to make some room at home now that you’re spending so much time there? Lark Storage is offering 25% off for the first three months to our readers through 4/30. Email or call Laurie at 828-346-5275 and mention AVLtoday to save. Ⓟ
○ C&Co. Handcrafted Skincare is offering 20% off your entire purchase using promo code COMMUNITY (exp. 4/30). We’re eyeing that Relax Bath Oil. Ⓟ
○ Who needs some flowers to brighten up their day? Blooms on Tap is offering 20% off any online order for fresh or dried bouquets using promo code HOPE2020 (does not apply to the ‘you are loved’ or ‘nursing home’ bouquets). Ⓟ
○ Times like these can be financially daunting. Reep Wealth Planning, Inc. is offering a free phone, Skype or in-person consultation to help discuss your goals and plans for the future. You can call them at 828-398-0977 or email to schedule your meeting. Ⓟ
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#Celebrate
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Introducing Celebrate: A new way to celebrate with AVLtoday
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Our readers love celebrating positive news, especially in times like these. And to try keep up the positivity in our community, we’re rolling out our brand new feature: Celebrate. 🎉
Think of Celebrate as a guaranteed shout out in our newsletter. Use it for big events: whether it's a 40th birthday, job promotion, anniversary, engagement, wedding, or new baby, let everyone party alongside you.
Now until Tues., March 31, we’re offering a 75% discount on the regular $100 rate. (Making a shoutout just $25. #worthit.) Submit your celebration + use promo code CELEBRATE.
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The Wrap
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When it comes to local food, I (Editor Ali) am a bit of a forager myself. I've been loving picking violets, yarrow + nettles and using them for salads. I can't wait to hear how you're using your local produce. 🌿
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