Community
Community guides everything we do at The Sassy Rose Tea Parlor. As a living-wage employer, we reflect the Appalachian belief that dignity grows from fair work and shared prosperity. We put that commitment into action by hosting seasonal canned-food drives, distributing cold-weather survival kits, donating leftover food to local nonprofits, and supporting initiatives that strengthen Asheville’s well-being. With every cup we pour and every act of service, we carry forward the Appalachian traditions of rootedness, stewardship, and neighborly care.
Partners
Local is more than a supply chain—it is our promise to nourish our neighbors, celebrate seasonal abundance, and strengthen the local economy. We fulfill that promise by sourcing from Western North Carolina farms, partnering with small makers and artisans, and featuring locally crafted products throughout our menu. Rooted in the traditions of Appalachia and the Blue Ridge Mountains, these relationships honor generations who have shared the region’s abundance and built resilient communities through mutual support.
Producers, Makers & Artisans
Asheville Bee Charmer — Asheville, NC
Local sourwood honey, Appalachian wildflower honey, and infused varieties that capture the flavor of the mountains.
White Squirrel Vegan Cheese — Brevard, NC
Small‑batch vegan cheeses inspired by regional ingredients and Transylvania County’s creative food culture.
Dare Vegan Cheese — Asheville, NC
Bold, artisanal plant‑based cheeses crafted in the heart of Asheville’s vibrant food community.
Spinning Spider Creamery — Marshall, NC
Award‑winning goat cheeses from a family‑run creamery in Madison County’s rolling farmland.
Ashe County Cheese — West Jefferson, NC
North Carolina’s oldest cheese producer, offering classic and specialty cheeses steeped in mountain dairy heritage.
South Slope Cheese Company — Asheville, NC
A boutique urban creamery producing small‑batch cheeses with a focus on craftsmanship, local milk, and inventive flavor profiles that complement Appalachian cuisine.
Annie’s Bakery — Asheville, NC
Old‑world breads and pastries made with locally sourced ingredients.
West End Bakery — West Asheville, NC
A community staple offering fresh baked goods that reflect West Asheville’s eclectic spirit.
Back Porch Baking Company — Asheville, NC
Small‑batch breads and seasonal baked items rooted in Appalachian foodways.
Dolce de Maria — Asheville, NC
Handcrafted Italian‑inspired desserts made with local ingredients, bringing refined sweetness and artisan craftsmanship to our pastry offerings.
Red Fiddle Vittles — South Asheville, NC
A chef‑driven Appalachian provisions company offering elevated prepared foods, including artisanal chicken salad, spreads, and seasonal specialties crafted with local ingredients.
Sleepy Gap Pawpaw — Buncombe County, NC
Growers of pawpaw and heritage Appalachian fruits that preserve native flavors.
Mountain Food Products — Asheville, NC
A trusted local distributor connecting restaurants with fresh, seasonal produce from regional farms.
Paul Collins Produce Co. — Asheville, NC
A long‑standing wholesale produce supplier at the WNC Farmers Market, providing fresh fruits and vegetables to restaurants across Western North Carolina.
Local Farms & Growers
Imladris Farm — Fairview, NC
Exceptional jams, berries, and preserves sourced from their orchards and partner farms across WNC.
Flying Cloud Farm — Fairview, NC
Seasonal vegetables, berries, flowers, and herbs grown sustainably with deep community roots.
Full Sun Farm — Leicester, NC
Sustainably grown vegetables, berries, and flowers widely used by Asheville restaurants.
Creasman Farms — Hendersonville, NC
Apples, peaches, berries, and cider — a staple for pastry programs and seasonal menus.
Ten Mile Farm — Old Fort, NC
Fresh vegetables, specialty crops, and seasonal produce grown with care.
Gaining Ground Farm — Leicester, NC
High‑quality vegetables, herbs, and flowers grown with deep stewardship of the land.
Tea, Spice & Botanical Partners
Asheville Tea Company — Asheville, NC
Appalachian botanicals and regional herbs blended into teas that reflect the spirit of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Full Moon Tea — Asheville, NC
Herbal blends and moon‑inspired infusions crafted from locally grown and foraged botanicals.
Tea & Spice Exchange — Downtown Asheville, NC
Premium loose‑leaf teas, spices, and blends that elevate our menu with global flavor and local partnership.
Spicewalla — River Arts District, Asheville, NC
Chef‑driven, small‑batch spices crafted in Asheville’s creative district.
Local Foragers & Wild‑Foods Gatherers
Alan Muskat / No Taste Like Home — Asheville, NC
Wild mushrooms, ramps, berries, edible flowers, and Appalachian botanicals gathered with deep ecological knowledge.
Wild Goods / Foraged Appalachia — Asheville & Madison County, NC
Seasonal wild herbs, roots, mushrooms, and edible flowers sourced sustainably from mountain forests.
Eagle Rock Foraging Collective — Buncombe County, NC
Ramps, chanterelles, pawpaw, spicebush, and wild berries harvested from the Pisgah region.
Trufflehound — Asheville, NC
Small‑batch, foraged‑inspired butters including truffle butter, ramp butter, herb‑infused spreads, and seasonal Appalachian specialties beloved by chefs and market regulars.
Independent Market Foragers — Asheville City Market, North Asheville Tailgate Market, Black Mountain Tailgate Market
Seasonal Appalachian ingredients include morels, chanterelles, wild berries, pawpaw, persimmon, redbud blossoms, violets, and wild herbs.
Cottage Foragers of Western North Carolina
Wildflower jellies, foraged fruit jams, herbal infusions, and seasonal mushrooms that capture the true terroir of the Blue Ridge Mountains.