The North Asheville Tailgate Market, a Saturday
morning institution for those who love fresh produce and flowers,
will relocate to UNC Asheville beginning Saturday, Aug. 4. The move
was announced today by officials of the two organizations. The
area’s oldest and largest producer-only farmers' market continues to
expand and the move to UNC Asheville will provide additional space
for local farmers to sell their products and more parking for
customers, said Tom Elmore, market co-manager.
"We are very pleased to be part of a
collaboration that benefits our local growers, our community and our
students," said UNC Asheville Chancellor Anne Ponder. "We anticipate
multiple opportunities for our students studying food consumerism
and nutrition, and those doing undergraduate research in health and
wellness, economics and environmental studies."
The market, which has had three previous locations, currently uses
the parking area behind Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company on
Merrimon Avenue. "Asheville Pizza has been a great host for our
market," said Cathy Osada, market co-manager. "They came to the
rescue when we were forced to leave our previous site. They have
been very generous with their time and space over the years, but we
just outgrew their facility."
The market, which will be located in a large tiered parking lot near
the entrance to the campus, will continue to operate on Saturdays
only; market hours are 7 a.m. to noon, through early December.
"It is a pleasure to work with UNC Asheville," said Elmore. "They
are such an important part of our community and they welcomed us
from the beginning. The faculty, staff and the administration were
all very helpful. We are looking forward to supporting the
University as they are supporting us. This is one more example of
how our community values local food and local farms."
To visit the tailgate market's new location, enter the UNC Asheville
campus at the traffic circle on W.T. Weaver Boulevard. Travel up the
main drive and take the first right at the blue sign that reads
Commuter/Faculty-Staff Parking Lot C. A campus map is available at
www.unca.edu/campusmap/Summer_Map.pdf.
Media Contacts:
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Merianne Epstein,
UNC Asheville Public Information Director, 828/251-6676
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Tom Elmore,
North Asheville Tailgate Market Co-Manager 828/683-1180
