ASAP helps create and expand local food markets that will preserve our agricultural heritage, give everyone access to fresh, healthy food, and keep our farmers farming. Our mission is to collaboratively create and expand regional community based and integrated food systems that are locally owned and controlled, environmentally sound, economically viable, and health-promoting.
Search our Local Food Guide. Shop for Appalachian Grown certified products. Get involved in the Growing Minds Farm to School program. Visit a farmers market. Browse our information on workshops, grants, and more. Use our classified section, calendar, and online resources. Whether you're a farmer, consumer, or work with a school, restaurant, or grocer, join us in reconnecting people throughout the region with their food.
Money Available for Farmers
ASAP is making matching funds available to farmers through a program funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. Farmers can apply for matching funds that will enable them to conduct promotions and develop materials that identify their products as local. ASAP will offer approximately $50,000 total to Southern Appalachian farmers to help them market and promote local foods.
ASAP presents “Farm Fresh Photography,” an exhibit of Naomi Johnson’s photos of Western North Carolina farms and farmers, at the café inside Greenlife Grocery. On Friday, July 31 at 7:00p.m., ASAP and Greenlife Grocery are hosting an opening reception for Johnson’s exhibit, with live music by Now You See Them and free tastings of local food, wine, and beer.
The film Food, Inc. will be showing at Carolina Cinemas in Asheville July 16-24. ASAP will host a discussion after 7:55p.m. showings on selected dates.
There’s nothing like the flavor of sweet corn and tomatoes when they’ve just been picked, so start seeking out these ephemeral favorites at farmers tailgate markets now.
Each month, ASAP, farmers, chefs, and diners will be celebrating the changing
seasons by focusing as a community on one great locally grown
ingredient. Read more.