Tag Archives: local fresh foods

Franklin Farmers Market Seeking More Room for Fast Growing Market, Poll Included

Franklin Farmers Market

Local Families enjoy shopping for local farm fresh produce each Saturday of the year

Since the Franklin Farmers Market opened in 2002, we’ve always called the Factory our home. But a lot of things have changed in the past 12 years. Instead of 8 farmers, we have over 70 farms at the market throughout the year plus local artisans, prepared food vendors and food trucks which makes the market a pretty popular place to go on Saturday mornings. It’s great that so many of you support local foods and local farms and we enjoy seeing everybody each week.

Rocky Glade Farm

Rocky Glade Farm sold out of their produce by 11am many days

Zadok the Natural Farmer

Zadok the Natural Farmer is a popular stop for farm fresh veggies

Bloomsbury Farm

Bloomsbury Farm is one of many farmers known for their Heirloom Tomatoes

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A long line of customers waiting for Ellie’s Old Fashioned Doughnuts

We love our home at the Factory. We’ve been there over a decade and it’s been a great place for us to be in. The Factory has been diligently listening to our growth needs along with what improvements can be made to make it the best location for you and our farmers. The market board is in active discussions with Factory officials about extending our lease and what can be done to make things easier for access to the market.

Franklin Farmers Market traffic

During peak Spring and Summer months there is a long line of cars lined up for entrance into the market

Lucy's Kitchen

The aisles under the shed crowd quickly starting in early spring

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Even our vendor tents next to the shed get really busy

We also have been looking at other possible locations for the market, including the Bicentennial Park location, which is two blocks off the downtown square of Franklin. Some of you may remember it as the old boot factory location on North Margin Street. There’s a lot of activity going on in the area, including the 3rd Avenue extension project, which gives the park easy access from Hillsboro Road as well as downtown routes. We appreciate all the efforts from the City of Franklin in offering us new possible market locations.

But would that be a good home for the market? Is there a better location or is our current home at the Factory the best place for the market?

We’ve listed a few questions below and would love to hear your thoughts.  Thank you for supporting our Tennessee farmers and Artisans who work hard to bring the best quality produce, meats, baked goods and Artisan Crafts each Saturday to market.

The Polls are now closed, thank you everyone for voting and leaving your valuable comments. 

 

How satisfied are you with parking for the Franklin Farmers Market (FFM) during our peak Spring, Summer and early Fall times?

  • Always plenty of parking (9%, 16 Votes)
  • I can find parking if I come early or late (52%, 97 Votes)
  • It's too congested to get into the parking lot quickly (30%, 55 Votes)
  • I've stop coming because of the lack of parking (10%, 18 Votes)

Total Voters: 186

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How is your shopping experience during our peak Spring, Summer and early Fall times?

  • There's plenty of room to shop among the vendors (2%, 3 Votes)
  • It's crowded but I don't mind the crowds (37%, 70 Votes)
  • I come early to beat the crowds (45%, 84 Votes)
  • I've stop coming because it's too crowded under the shed (16%, 30 Votes)

Total Voters: 187

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How long have you been a FFM customer?

  • Since the beginning in 2002 (21%, 44 Votes)
  • 5 years or more (31%, 64 Votes)
  • 3 years or more (24%, 50 Votes)
  • 1 year or more (20%, 40 Votes)
  • I'm a newbie, less than a year (3%, 7 Votes)
  • Never have visited the FFM (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 205

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Farmers Market eases into Fall with Summer Vegetables still in Large Supply

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Heirloom Tomatoes from Evans Produce

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Kirkview Farm Peaches

Okra, Onions and Garlic from Gardner Grove

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Beaverdam Creek Farm Booth full of produce

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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.

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First Pumpkins of Fall 2013 King Farm

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Bags of Apples from Kirkview Farm

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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.

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Ellie’s Old Fashioned Doughnuts

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Fresh Baked Cookies and Scones from Dozen

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Fresh Tomato Juices and Salsa from Delvin Farms

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Tie Dye Garments from Pieceful World Clothing

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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.
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