It’s back to school time, and area farmers tailgate markets have all the best lunch and snack foods to pack for your kids. Don’t have kids? You can pack these same foods for your own “bag lunch” to take to work.
Sandwiches are the ultimate lunch food. Bakers at markets have delicious breads from wholesome, traditional sourdoughs, to gluten-free and paleo breads. Simple Bread (Asheville City Market and West Asheville Tailgate Market) has wonderful sourdoughs. Eat More Bakery (Asheville City Market) has gluten-free breads, and Rebel Oven (Asheville City Market) has paleo breads. And there are so many cheeses and meats to find at market to use as fillings, as well as an endless combination of vegetables to add.
This past week, Lee’s One Fortune Farm (West Asheville Tailgate Market, East Asheville Tailgate Market, and Asheville City Market) had jicama available — an exciting new vegetable not seen at area markets much in the past. These root vegetables are sweet, juicy, and crunchy like a radish without any bitterness or bite. These are great to slice and include in a lunch box as a crunchy raw snack, or try making fries with them (by either baking or frying) to add as a side to your sandwich.
Fruits are always great to snack on throughout the day. Lee’s One Fortune Farm has the first grapes and figs. In addition to including as raw snacks, you could try making fig newtons from scratch and bringing a homemade version of a beloved childhood treat.
Area farmers tailgate markets take place throughout the region. As always, you can find information about farms, tailgate markets, and farm stands, including locations and hours, by visiting ASAP’s online Local Food Guide.
Prepared by Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project.