The city of Asheville, N.C., is a place where culinary creativity runs wild. Much of that is in the form of alcohol – there may be more craft breweries per capita in Asheville than any other city. But there’s plenty of excellent food companies and restaurants to please any foodie, whether they’re a omnivore, vegan or anything in between.
Located not too far away in Fairview, one small farm has played a big role in the development of Western North Carolina’s local food system. Jim and Elizabeth McClure moved there in 1916 and helped found the Farmers Federation, an early cooperative designed to improve regional agriculture. From the McClures to the Clarkes to the Agers, the family has maintained Hickory Nut Gap Farm ever since.