Farmers' Market, Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Joe Mabel
The recent growth of farmers’ markets across Appalachia is part of the effort of mountain farmers to survive in a national market dominated by large-scale agribusiness. The Department of Agriculture identifies more than 800 farmers’ markets throughout the region. One of the most notable is the Western North Carolina Farmers’ Market in Asheville begun in 1977. Shoppers flock to farmers’ markets for produce that is locally grown and superior in freshness, variety and often in price to that found in supermarket chains. Many buyers feel they are benefiting their local community. For the farmer it means direct access to the consumer and the opportunity to sell their goods at retail prices. Farmers’ markets are in the mountain tradition of self-sufficiency and barter which has kept communities strong.
