Hot market, but oh-so-cool local farm food. It’s the peak season for the best of summer veggies and that made it worth the while to brave the nasty heat last Saturday and come out to the market. The FFM looked like a foodie’s dream come true – tomatoes of all varieties, sweet corn on the cob, bell peppers, onions, potatoes, okra, blueberries, blackberries, carrots, green beans, peaches – you name it and it was there. The very best in fresh food straight from Tennessee farms.
Squash and tomatoes from Allenbrook Farm
New arrival of Tennessee Corn from Kirkview Farm
Farm Fresh produce from Colbert Farm
Fresh picked squash and zucchini from Sturbridge Farm
Beautiful Okra from Colbert Farm
Fresh picked Blueberries from Blue Honey Farm
Sweet peaches from Kirkview Farm
Bountiful CSA’s from Delvin Farms
Fresh farm produce from Beaverdam Creek Farm
Peas and lima’s from Kirkview Farm
Even though it was a hot, sweltering kind of day last Saturday, everyone seemed to be handling the heat with no problem. Lots of smiles and lots of people at the FFM, so naturally we had to take some photos. Did we catch you smiling? Take a look at the market’s big photo gallery and find out!
Loving a farm Sunflower
Found the perfect 2 tomatoes I like!
Hank resupplying organic potatoes
Karen’s wonderful tasting Tomato Pie from Norton Family Farm
Tomatoes large and small, red or yellow, heirloom or standard varieties – it really is tomato season at the market. We love tomatoes and the different recipes you can use them in, like the tomato pies that Norton Farm had this past Saturday. A ripe juicy tomato straight from the garden is the ultimate summer treat and that’s why we celebrate the tomato. July 26th, join in the fun at the Franklin Farmers Market TomatoFest. Our friends from Amerigo know a thing or two about tomatoes and they’ll be demonstrating the different ways to use tomatoes in delicious recipes. There will be heirloom tomatoes to sample, demos on seed saving and a fun kids’ area too. It’s all happening July 26th – TomatoFest at the FFM!
Deb Ringing in the start of another great Market Saturday
You know that old saying about how time flies? It’s true. Even though autumn doesn’t start until late September, everyone considers Labor Day to be the end of summer. School’s back in session, there’s no more summer vacation and all of our favorite summer fruits and veggies are gone. But wait just a minute…that last part’s not true. There are still plenty of summer goodies at the Franklin Farmers Market.
Fresh Produce from Bloomsbury Farm
The proof is in the photos… Look at the beautiful produce from Bloomsbury Farm that was available at the market this past weekend.
Farm Fresh Green Beans from Kirkview Farm
There were lots of fresh veggies and fruits to choose from, like these green beans from Kirkview Farm or these sweet watermelons from Pilgrims Produce.
Heirloom Tomatoes from Evans Produce
Kirkview Farm Peaches
Okra, Onions and Garlic from Gardner Grove
Beaverdam Creek Farm Booth full of produce
Gardner Grove Heirloom Tomatoes
mAnd while it is almost the end of summer, the market keeps on going and going. There were a lot of people on Saturday, asking when the market would shut down for the winter. We don’t. The Franklin Farmers Market is open year-round, every Saturday. There are lots of good winter vegetables that our farmers grow too.
First Pumpkins of Fall 2013 King Farm
Bags of Apples from Kirkview Farm
Farm Fresh Sprouts from Bloomsbury Farm
So while summer may be flying by in a hurry, there are no worries about getting good local fresh foods. The Franklin Farmers Market has got what you want.
Ellie’s Old Fashioned Doughnuts
Fresh Baked Cookies and Scones from Dozen
Fresh Tomato Juices and Salsa from Delvin Farms
Tie Dye Garments from Pieceful World Clothing
Little Jimmy’s Italian Ices
However with the fall season, there is a peculiar occurrence takes place at the market. There’s a curious change in the way things normally are. Something odd happens and strange occupants suddenly overrun the market. So be forewarned… they are coming to the Franklin Farmers Market soon… very soon.
Farm Fresh Cumbers and Tomatoes from See Sun Vu Farm
It’s been a strange summer. Here we are in August, which is typically a dry and very hot month. But we’ve had plenty of rain and lows in the 50’s. Weird weather indeed, but on the flip side, it’s been good for the veggies. Right now, the Franklin Farmers Market is loaded with lots of great vegetables. You should have seen the pile of peppers at the Gardner’s Grove booth!
Multi-Colored Peppers from Gardener Grove Farm
Over 30 different varieties of Tomatoes
Beautiful Egg Plant coming in for 2013 from See Sun Vu Farm
A Great Summer for Cantaloupe from Kirkview Farm
This Mom teaching her son about Delvin Farms CSA fresh veggies
This year Watermelons are HUGE from Tim of Colbert Farm
And tomatoes were everywhere. Mr. Cecil’s tomatoes were hot items this past Saturday, along with green beans from the Colbert Farm and corn from the King Family Farm. Chicken for the grill was the big thing from River Cottage Farm. The Delvin Farm had cantaloupes that were huge (and sweet!) and of course, several of the farms had delicious watermelons.
So Very Fresh Green Beans from Kirkview Farm
Beautiful Potatoes and Melons from Colbert Farm
Fried Green Tomatoes anyone from Bloomsbury Farm
Beautiful Apples from Kirkview Farm
Wonderful Plums and Peaches from Kirkview Farm
Watermelon Festival is Next Weekend!
Speaking of watermelons, the market’s big Watermelon Festival is coming up this Saturday (August 24th) and it’s a big juicy day of fun for everyone. Besides delicious slices of watermelon to munch on, there are games and face painting for the kids, weird watermelon carvings and the two contests you don’t want to miss – the watermelon seed spitting challenge and the fastest watermelon eating competition.
The excitement is building, as you can see in this short youtube video from one of the potential competitors in the watermelon eating contest:
The seed spitting contest takes place at 10am, while the watermelon eating contest is at 11:30. If you’re up to the challenge, come by the market’s info booth Saturday morning to register. Don’t miss the Franklin Farmers Market Watermelon Festival, presented by the Williamson Herald and Southern Exposure Magazine!
Fresh Goat Cheese to Sample from Noble Springs Dairy Farm
Lots of Tomatoes from Rocky Glade Farm
Golden Melons from Beaverdam Creek Farm
Truck loads of Sweet Corn selling out fast from the King Family Farm
How many tomatoes do you think we had at the Franklin Farmers Market this past Saturday? We’re not sure either, but we could say it was an invasion, because there were tomatoes everywhere. Our Tennessee Farmers bring over 30 different varieties from red and yellow tomatoes, striped and purple tomatoes, big and small cherry tomatoes, including heirloom tomatoes and traditional favorites. Perfect for canning and making relish or just a good old BLT. We love this time of the year, because it’s not just the number of tomatoes that is so high, but all of the other summertime favorites of the garden are ripe and ready to eat.
Bloomsbury Farm Wheat Grass
Farm Fresh picked Peaches and Cream Corn
Farm Fresh Produce and Herbs from Rocky Glade Farm
AssortedTie Dyed Clothing from Pieceful World Clothing
Artisan Woods by Cody
Bags of purple hull peas and green beans were being snapped up at the market, along with okra and bell peppers. Those sweet juicy peaches from Kirkview Farm were also a big hit.
Sweet Peaches and Apples from Rainbow Hill Farm
Kirkview Farms Purple Hull Peas and Melons
Ice Cold Limeade and teas from Lucy’s Kitchen
It was a little hot on Saturday… Okay, it was just flat out hot and muggy. But it didn’t matter. Folks were drinking ice cold, fresh limeade from Lucy’s Kitchen or dipping spoons into sweet delicious gelato from Hatcher’s Dairy to stay cool. And you know what one of the best things is about coming to the market? Even though you know what’s ripe and ready to eat, there’s always something new to enjoy too. Like Delvin Farm’s organic hot & spicy tomato juice. Great for cooking and drinking! Or like Rainbow Hill Farm’s Concord grapes.
Organic Bloody Mary Mix from Delvin Farms organic tomatoes
Concord Grapes from Rainbow Hill Farm
Beautiful Watermelons from Bronnenberg Farm
Circle August 24th on your calendars, because that’s a big, sweet seed-spittin’ fun day at the farmers market. It’s the Franklin Farmers Market Watermelon Festival, presented by our friends at the Williamson Herald and Southern Exposure Magazine. You don’t want to miss the watermelon seed spitting or the fastest watermelon eating contests. There are games and face painting for the kids, wild watermelon carvings and plenty of ice cold watermelons to enjoy.
Cecil’s Tomatoes from Pocahontas Creek Farms
And finally, you know the old saying about the early bird getting the worm? That’s been the thought about the market too. Get there early to make sure you get the best of the farm fresh produce you want before it runs out. But trying to scope out the fresh picked veggies early at the market could be dangerous. Our Tennessee farmers and vendors start setting up their farm booths early, but there are so many farmers at the market that they all can’t get moved in at the same time. And if they are trying to unload their trucks and set things up, it’s not safe for you to walk around the market.
So we’re asking you to please wait until the market opens to start shopping. The Franklin Farmers Market opens at 8am. When you hear the bell ringing, come on in!
FFM Manager Deb with Lex and Tim from Colbert Farm
These Farm Fresh Tomatoes are hand picked fresh, from the farm, by our Tennessee Farmers and their families as these tomatoes are from Zadok the Natural Farmer
Blue skies, beautiful weather and delicious Tennessee Farm fresh food… who could ask for anything more? Yesterday was the perfect day at the Franklin Farmers Market. There were lots of tasty fresh veggies like cabbage, beets and delicious green beans. Cucumbers are coming in season too, plus squash and greens. And even though strawberry season is just about over, it won’t be too much longer before blackberries and blueberries start showing up at the farmers market. It was great to see everyone at our Farmers Market on Saturday! Even some of our Growing Kids Garden students dropped by to say hello.
Onions, Carrots, Cabbages and Beets
Fresh Squash now at the Market
You know how we say it’s good to use one of the other entrances into the market? Here’s proof of why we say that.
Franklin Police directing traffic on Liberty Pike
The traffic on Liberty Pike at the main entrance to the market was backed up and the parking lot in that area was jammed. But folks coming into the market from other entrances had it much easier. So next Saturday, why not try the Franklin Road entrance and use the parking spaces on that side of The Factory. Chances are good that if you use a different entrance into the market, you won’t be delayed in traffic.
And a big thank you to everyone who observed the market’s official opening time. A lot of you early birds like to get to market first to make sure you get the tasty food you want. But the market’s opening time is 8am and we ask that you do not come into the market until it officially begins. The reason why is simple: It’s for your safety. There are farmers and vendors still setting up and moving into market right up to opening time. So shopping begins at 8am. Just listen for the bell signaling that market is open!
Fresh Romaine Lettuce
Norton Farm Cucumbers
Beaverdam Creek Farm Fresh Veggies
Finally here’s a little something that you need to know… There’s a special day coming up soon at the Franklin Farmers Market in Williamson County and you don’t want to miss it! Look for details later this week.