About
The RAD Farmers Market is a non-profit farmers market held at Smoky Park Supper Club in the vibrant River Arts District of Asheville. We are a year-round market hosting produce, baked goods, crafts, drinks, grab-and-go options, and more. All of our vendors are independent small businesses, and all of our farmers grow what they sell. We host 30+ vendors weekly.
Dogs
We are a dog friendly market! Some vendors even sell dog treats. Dogs must be on leash and well-behaved. Management reserves the right to ask any dog owner to remove their dog from the market.
EBT/SNAP
We are able to process EBT/SNAP cards and transfer your balance into tokens to be used at the market.
We also proudly participate in the Double SNAP program, where we match EBT/SNAP transactions up to $20 with tokens to be used on fresh fruit and veggies at the market.
Additionally, the Farm Fresh Produce Prescription Program allows eligible community members to receive additional free tokens to use at the market.
Multi-modal Accessiblity
Located along the Wilma Dykeman Greenway, the market is an easy and safe bike ride or walk from hundreds of local homes and businesses. Note that part of the market is held in a gravel parking lot, though most wheelchairs are able to navigate the lot. We have a wheelchair ramp connecting the indoor and outdoor portion of the market.
Parking
Handicap parking is designated in the Smoky Park Supper Club parking lot, along with a small amount of general parking spaces. Free public parking is available along Riverside Drive. See parking map here.
Growing Practices
We are a producer-only market, meaning all of our farmers grow what they sell. When selecting vendors, the RAD Farmers Market prioritizes producers who use organic and sustainable growing practices and vendors who use local and organic ingredients in their value-added products. However, we do not require organic certification to vend at the market. If you have any questions about the growing practices of a specific vendor, please inquire with market management or with the vendor directly.
Market Director
Lyric Antio (she/her) returned to the RAD Farmers Market as Market Director in March of 2022, after serving as the Market Assistant in 2015. Lyric has been home in Western North Carolina for a decade and has remained devoted to the local food community throughout that time. She and her husband own and operate their own farm business, Wild East Farm and their pastured chicken and no-till vegetables can be found weekly at the RAD Market. Market day is her favorite day of the week.
Market Manager
Rachel Letcher (she/her) has over a decade of nonprofit experience and a Master of Public Health, driving her passion for nutrition education. As a UNCA alum, she is thrilled to be back in Asheville. She co-led a community garden in Birmingham, AL, piloted school gardens, and taught nutrition classes in Nashville, TN. She's a Board Member of Organic Growers School and supports local food systems. In her free time, she enjoys exploring farmers markets, cooking, hiking, and pottery.
photo credit: Julia Lasley
Market History
The River Arts District Farmers Market has been sharing fresh, local foods with the community for over 20 years. Beginning in the parking lot of the French Broad Food Co-op in the early 2000's, the market has relocated four times before ultimately finding our home at Smoky Park Supper Club. Several of our vendors have been with the market since the very beginning- a testament to the depth of our community roots.
The market has grown tremendously over the years thanks to the support of our beloved customers, sponsors, and hosts.
Archived photo of the RAD Farmers Market circa 2015, when the market was held at All Souls Pizza