In addition to the �Blue Ridge Flavors� gift box featuring a variety of artisanal products made at the facility, such as perennial favorites Lusty Monk mustards and Imladris Farm jams, available are also themed boxes. For those who like it spicy, try �The Hot Box,� featuring items such as fiery hot sauces, salsas, a garlicky seasoning blend, and even chocolate truffles with a hint of cayenne pepper. The �Sweet �n� Spicy Box� includes Cajun seasonings, smooth and sweet barbecue sauce, and chocolate truffles and blueberry jam to balance out the heat. For those who like it mellow, there�s the �Not Hot Box,� with items such as fruit jam, a tropical nut butter, and a whole wheat pizza kit. Gluten-free products are also available.

Boxes can be ordered online at www.blueridgefoodventures.org and shipped to anywhere in the U.S. Gift boxes can also be purchased or ordered at the Blue Ridge Food Ventures Holiday Market on Dec. 7 (see details below).

Looking for that perfect gift for a Western North Carolina cook or locavore? Give the gift of healthy�and convenient� local produce with a gift certificate for Blue Ridge Food Ventures� Winter Sun Farms CSA. Not only will gift recipients enjoy a monthly selection of locally grown fruits and vegetables from the finest farmers in the area, all the hard work is already done. (It�s practically �fast food�!) Staff at Blue Ridge Food Ventures take fresh produce in summer from participating farmers and gently prep, package, and freeze it so it�s practically ready to eat or cook with when you take it out of your freezer. The total cost for a share in Winter Sun Farms is $125 for four monthly pickups at Blue Ridge Food Ventures on the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Enka Campus, just west of Asheville, or $135 for pickups in downtown Asheville at the Grove Arcade, Black Mountain at the Merry Wine Market or in Flat Rock at Hand in Hand Gallery.

For information on Winter Sun Farms, visit www.wintersunfarmsnc.com. Gift certificates can be purchased at the Blue Ridge Food Ventures Holiday Market on Dec. 7 (see below) or by calling Chris Reedy at (828) 348-0130 or email [email protected].

For those who want the personal shopping experience (without the crowds and parking hassles), Blue Ridge Food Ventures presents its Holiday Market on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m.�1 p.m., and 4�7 p.m. Meet the food makers, sample their products and purchase tasty presents for everyone on the gift list. Plus, pick up items for dinner from Blue Ridge Food Ventures� selection of farm-fresh meats, wild-caught salmon, and items such as homemade bagels and handcrafted cheesecakes. Blue Ridge Food Ventures is located at 1461 Sand Hill Rd. in Candler, less than three miles from I-40, on the A-B Tech Enka campus, with plenty of free and convenient parking.

Blue Ridge Food Ventures (BRFV) is an 11,000 square-foot shared-use commercial kitchen and food business/agribusiness incubator. More than 200 food product-makers, farmers, caterers and food cart proprietors have started and grown their businesses at Blue Ridge Food Ventures since it launched in 2005 as the first facility of its type in North Carolina. Products made at BRFV can be found in stores across the country and have been profiled in local, regional and national news media. Blue Ridge Food Ventures also operates the country�s first shared-use Natural Products Manufacturing Facility. For more information, visit www.blueridgefoodventures.org.

Blue Ridge Food Ventures is an initiative of AdvantageWest, a nonprofit, public-private economic development partnership serving the 23 westernmost counties of North Carolina. Other job creation programs include advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurial development, the green economy and the WNC Film Commission. For more information, visit www.advantagewest.com.

(Image provided by Duke Energy.)

Looking for more happenings in the area? Check out Asheville.com's comprehensive visitor center.