Continue to support local food producers

Even though our first snow has fallen, local food is still available. Some producers with green houses or tunnels continue to grow throughout the winter. There are also products such as meat, bakery items, canned items, and craft beers that are not sensitive to the cold. Here are a few ways to procure local food throughout the winter:

The Watauga County farmers’ market is open on Saturdays from 9 until 1 through November. Seasonal produce includes apples, greens, cabbage, potatoes, garlic, carrots, turnips, and winter squash. A good variety of meat is available including beef, lamb, pork and chicken. You will also find eggs, breads, bagels, and pastries, jams, jellies, and molasses.

High Country CSA is a multi-farm endeavor, and they are rolling out a new online ordering platform soon that will enable consumers to order products throughout the winter.  Go to highcountrycsa.org to sign up to receive updates.

Wild Pilgrim Farmstead, located in Caldwell County, delivers organically raised meats and fresh produce to Boone throughout the winter. Caldwell is typically 10 degrees warmer than Watauga in the winter, plus they grow in greenhouses, allowing for great variety. The delivery site is the visitor’s center on Blowing Rock road, Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30. For more information, visit Wild Pilgrim Farmstead on Facebook or contact them at wildpilgrimfarmstead@gmail.com.

North Fork Farm, located in Zionville, offers a variety of high quality, grass-fed meat, including vacuum packed frozen beef, pork and chicken. Check out their selection at http://northforkfarmbeef.com/price-list/ They take orders by e mail, northforkfarm@skybest.com, or by phone 828-297-5755 / 828-773-0305. After placing your order, they will arrange a place to deliver. Also have a store on their farm, but call first before visiting.

Chestnut Grove Farms, located off of hwy 194 towards Todd, offers a variety of cuts of Angus beef that graze on a mixture of orchard, clover, and timothy grasses. Check out the selection at http://www.chestnutgrovefarms.net/buy-our-beef.html  Bare Essentials natural market carries their beef, or you may call them at 264-7764 to arrange a delivery.

Springhouse Farm, located in Vilas, has pasture-raised pork available. Pricing and contact information is on their website, http://www.springhousefarm.net/

Bare Essentials Natural Market has supported the local food system for many years. Located at 273 Boone Heights Dr. in Boone, they offer a variety of produce, meat, eggs, honey, Bald Guy Brew coffee, and pasta.

Blowing Rock Produce and Provisions, located at 8100 Valley Boulevard, Blowing Rock on 321 Bypass beside Papa Joe's, houses over 40 local food vendors and 20 local beverage vendors. Included is Ashe County Cheese, Bald Guy Brew, Bella Rooster Jams, Boone Bar, Blue Ridge Apiaries, Fire from the Mountain salsa, Heritage Homestead goat cheese, Highland Brewing Beer Company, meat from North Fork Farm, Old Hickory Brewery beer, Sunburst trout, the Wild Salmon Company, plus produce from local farms.

Stick Boy Bread Company, located at 345 Hardin St is famous for high quality baked goods. They also carry a variety of locally produced products, including jams, eggs, pasta, and goat cheese.