ASAP is celebrating the connections between farmers, chefs, and artisan food producers at ASAP’s Local Food Experience. The experience, held on Thursday, Aug. 18, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at Highland Brewing Company Event Center, will feature Appalachian grown foods and the chance to meet faces from the local food movement.

Attendees can expect local food tastings and plates or dishes from Buxton Hall Barbecue, Ultimate Ice Cream, Looking Glass Creamery, French Broad Chocolate Lounge, Sunburst Trout Farms, Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Waynesville Soda Jerks, Imladris Farm, Green River Picklers, HomeGrown and more.

There will be family friendly activities, and a silent auction offering exclusive local food experiences, including farm stays, winery tours, private dinners and more.

Walter Harrill of Imladris Farm is using the Local Food Experience as a way to roll out a new product. “We can’t wait for everyone to try our new smoked ketchup,” he says. “The Local Food Experience allows us to meet with like-minded consumers, who value local farms and local food. It also give us the opportunity to support ASAP, who has provided a tremendous amount of support for me and my farm business.”

“Eating local is about more than just food,” said Scott Bunn, ASAP’s development director. “It’s about the relationship with the farmer, the connection to place and heritage, and the sense of community that comes from knowing firsthand the story behind your food. We are presenting the Local Food Experience for people to experience something fresh, seasonal, and grown here, while also raising funds for ASAP.”

Tickets for the Local Food will be available at the door. Highland beer will be sold separately. Tickets can be purchased in advance at asapconnections.org. Silent auction items are previewed at ASAP’s website. All proceeds will benefit ASAP.

The event will be held at Highland’s Event Center, located at 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville, N.C.

ASAP’s mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food. To learn more about ASAP’s work in the region, visit asapconnections.org, or call 828- 236-1282.

– article submitted by Scott Bunn