Charlotte Tailgate Farmers Market

Hurray, hurray!  The Tailgate season is well underway.  We are open rain or shine every Tuesday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and every Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at 100 West Park Avenue in SouthEnd.

Thanks to the CLT Blog for featuring us recently.  They have some great pictures of our vendors taken during setup.  Also, vote for The Tailgate in the American Farmland Trust farmers market contest!  Look us up by zip code - 28203.

BIG news.  Two and probably three events to put ON YOUR CALENDAR. 

Tuesday, July 7th we welcome summer and celebrate everything local with an afternoon full of events and opportunities leading up to the debut of  Food, Inc., which opens in Charlotte on July 10^th.  Check back for news of an event on July 11th that will help us develop a collective and very local response to the issues addressed in this important documetary.

At 5:00 pm on July 7^th we will host local Chef Tori Groat, as she gathers fresh ingredients from the vendors and prepares a dish for you to sample and recreate at home.

We will also provide an area with supervised activities for children from 4:30 to 6:00 pm to allow moms and dads to shop while kids enjoy themselves close by.

Recent vendor additions include Underwood Family Farm, Red Dirt Ranch, ota.bars, Jean’s Greens and Gaye’s Greens, Brambly Hedge Farm, Taylor Farm, Chef Charles Catering, New Moon Farm, and Windcrest Organics!

The Tailgate is now twittering!  Follow us at:  http://www.twitter.com/TheTailgate

If you are a local farmer, grower, or artisan committed to sustainable practices and have an interest in vending during the 2009 season, please contact us at info@charlottetailgatemarket.com.  At this time we have a waiting list for artisans, but do feel free to contact us with your information.

We look forward to a great second season at 100 West Park Avenue, as we continue to come up with more ideas, more vendors, and more opportunities to serve you!

We continue to grow, but we are still 100% fresh, fun, and funky.  And we will always strive to showcase and serve the growers and producers who make this market possible.  

The Tailgate is an urban farmers market committed to local food and local farms.   That will never change.

Look forward to, when available and in season:

• Vegetables and some fruits.
• Plants, herbs, and flowers.
• Dairy and eggs.  Fresh, free range.  Sooo pretty.  Every one is different.
• Pastured pork products, grass fed beef, ostrich and chicken.
• Composted worm tea!
• Baked goods and chocolate truffles.  Yum!
• Honey!  Local beekeepers are sharing the bounty, and providing an education.
• Prepared foods made with local ingredients.  And pickles pickles pickles!
• Soap, candles, jewelry, and other hand-crafted items.
• Lots of practical menu ideas and fanciful suggestions.
• Friends, neighbors, and pets of all varieties (though we do ask you to keep them outside the tent - health department requirements).  The market manager loves dogs and will happily attend yours in the field while you shop.

Sign up for our bi-weekly e-mail newsletter.  This is an especially good idea because the Tuesday market and the Saturday market are somewhat different.  The newsletter will let you know who and what to expect.

Have you read our blog?  Read about current hot topics and other random but sometimes useful information.  Check it out: http://spaces.msn.com/charlottetailgatemarket.