Friends:
What a year 2020 has been! I write to you tonight both exhausted and filled with hope…that 2021 will usher in a return to life that feels somewhat familiar.
Like everyone else in 2020, farming and agriculture felt the weight of COVID-19.
Before we turn out the lights for Buy Haywood’s annual winter break, I wanted to wrap up 2020 with some thoughts on how you can support local businesses and bring a little extra joy into your lives. Who couldn’t use a little more JOY!
* In the era of COVID-19, our partners and local stakeholders have struggled (to say the least) like all independant resturants and businesses. We want you to take the greatest care of your family first and foremost (like we’re taking of ours) until this nightmare is behind us. Before pursuing anything on this list, please follow all CDC guidelines, recommendations from Governor Cooper’s office, any local ordinances and what feels right for you and your family.
Shop small, enjoy a taste of local for the holidays.
Can you imagine a place where farmers grow hundreds of acres of fresh produce, maintain multigenerational family-owned and operated farms, graze cattle, raise trees, herbs and bees?
Welcome to Haywood County, a place where the rich landscape of local ingredients and cultural memory nurtures unique collaborations between farmers and makers. A place where award-winning artisanal products like Peach-Shine Jam & Suburst Trout Caviar are born.
Search our online directory to explore a plethora of uniquely local flavors created by innovative artisanal producers right here in Haywood County. Any and all of these make wonderful additions to your dinner table…and the best gifts for those you love (several businesses offer shipping too!).
Eat and drink like a local.
Southern food is less about any particular ingredient and more about a state of mind. Appalachian cuisine is deeply rooted in our heritage—born through centuries of “making do,” never wasting and seeing delicious opportunities everywhere. History, resourcefulness and farm fresh flavors come together to create innovative menus and a vibrant farm-to-table experience. Discover why Haywood has earned a gold star on the regional gastronomy map! Visit the “Local Flavors” section of our 2020-21 Find your Adventure! Agritourism Guide
Feel like dining in? You can do that. Feel like take out? You can do that. Feel like buying a bottle of beer and/or spirits or a jar of jams, jellies, pickled or preserved flavors, fillet or other trout products or a dozen of local eggs for your favorite family recipe at home? You can do that! Stay safe. Stay well. Support local. That’s what we’re trying our best to do.
Visit our directory here to see what’s available where and when, do what feels most comfortable for you to support local folks.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner & in-between…made fresh right at home.
Visit our recipes page for meal inspo with farm fresh flavors that you can create right in your own kitchen. Looking for something in particular? In the search bar, type in any ingredient to find a recipe(s) that includes that item.
Shady Brook Farm 
Lott Farm & Apiary 
Gift Giving
Over the years, we’ve found some lovely gift ideas at Shelton House Museum of NC Handicrafts, Copper Pot & Wooden Spoon, 828 Market, celebrated plein air artist Jo Ridge Kelley’s studio, Sunburst Trout, Elevated Mountain Distilling Company, Blue Ridge Books (those gals are FABULOUS about ordering anything they don’t have on hand…we especially love cookbooks and anything penned by local authors), Bosu’s Wine Shop (their gift shop section is super fun…and same on the ordering what they don’t have on hand), The Market at Frankie’s Italian Trattoria, Waynesville Soda Jerks gift shop, gift certificates to any local flavors spot and the Ginn Project just to name a few! Visit our 2020-21 Agritourism Guide and online directory for an expansive list.
*The above list of local opportunities for nifty one-of-a-kind gifts is not exhaustive. Just a starting point!
Holiday decor.
Christmas trees. Wreaths. Garlands galore! Haywood County farms have everything you need to make your holidays unforgettable! More here.
Plan your farm stay.
Have friends and/or family visiting for the holidays or into the new year? Consider suggesting agritourism accomodations! Fresh air and room to roam…see more here.
– Images courtesy of Buffalo Creek Vacations
Most importantly, take care of yourself and those you love. Wishing all our Buy Haywood stakeholders a safe and prosperous holiday season and blessed 2021. Together we rise!
Warmest regards,
Tina Masciarelli, MLA
Project Coordinator, Buy Haywood
tina@sofiolpress.com
(828) 734-9574