Tag Archives: produce

Beautiful Spring Day visits Farmers Market

April 14, 2014

Vegetable plant starts from Paradise Produce

Allegedly, there is no “perfect” day. But this past Saturday came pretty close to being one a perfect farmers market day. It was a sunny, warm t-shirts and shorts kind of day and there was plenty of good food all around the market. One of the things that make the Franklin Farmers Market a good place to go on any day in the spring is to see what’s new – what’s growing on the farms, what springtime veggies are ready to enjoy. The bright colors of flowers were popping up all over the market, with bedding plants for people to take home and increase that curb appeal. There were the veggie “starter” plants grown by the farmers for those of you that like to do a little back yard gardening. It was a good weekend to grill out too and many of you were getting the best in beef, chicken and pork from our farmers to enjoy. Lots of smiling faces all around as everyone just got outside and enjoyed the day!

Herbs and Veggie starters from Earth Advocate Research Farm

Ferns and other hanging baskets from Purple Tree Farm

Home baked cookies from Dozen

Fresh Farm Eggs have brilliant yellow yolks and more flavor

Yum, an Elle’s Donut Fan

Custom made miniatures by Phillip

Hand made soaps from Totty’s Bend Goat Farm

Of course, some of you were kind of pushing the season on Saturday, expecting to find such goodies as corn and tomatoes at the market. After all, you’ve see corn showing up in the produce section of the grocery. We’re anxious for corn, tomatoes and other summer goodies to be ripe too, but it’s not the time of the year to find those veggies at the market.

Fresh picked lettuce mix from Norton Family Farm

Fresh green onions from Pilgrims Produce

Beaverdam Creek Farm CSA, sign up today for your farm CSA!

Newly grown veggies from Kirkview Farm

Sweet carrots and lettuces from Norton Family Farm

Hand crafted knives by Antler

Custom made barn wood signs from Tom the Furniture Guy

And while the weather plays a big role in when crops are ready to harvest, you can get a good idea of when your favorite fresh food will be at the market by stopping at the FFM’s Info Booth at the front of the market and getting what we call the “cheat sheet”. It’s a handy little chart that gives you an idea of when the peak season is for summer produce in Tennessee.

All in all, it was a great Saturday at the market. Lots of smiling faces all around as everyone just got outside and enjoyed day! See for yourself with a visit to our market photo gallery.

It was all smiles on Saturday with clear blue skies and lots of sunshine as this young Franklin family stops for a quick picture

Kale Fudge Pops Recipe

January 9, 2014

Leave a comment

These rich, indulgent kale fudge pops have a nice fiber content thanks to a hearty dose of kale. Why is fiber so important? Getting adequate fiber can lead to flatter abs and clearer skin. Fiber also helps to maintain the balance of healthy bacteria in your intestinal tract, which promotes immunity.

Serves 8

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground coriander
2 cups warm water
1 cup torn kale leaves

In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients except kale and add the warm water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes stirring occasionally until the mixture is smooth and thick. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. Place kale in a blender and blend until very smooth. Stir the kale into the chocolate mixture and divide evenly among 8 ice pop molds and insert ice pop sticks.

Freeze for at least 4 hours before serving. Your kale fudge pops will keep for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container in the freezer.

The Franklin Farmers Market is community driven Saturday morning farmers market bringing together the best local farmers in the state of Tennessee. Visit our photo gallery and farmer profiles to learn more about Tennessee farm fresh produce and meats.

Market Customers Pick Up Thanksgiving Turkeys, Produce, Baked Breads and Desserts

November 25, 2013

Leave a comment

Brighten the table tops with handmade holiday decorations from Bloomin’ Baskets

It’s hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is this Thursday. Where did the year go? We have to say, that 2013 has been a good one for us at the Franklin Farmers Market. Lots of longtime customers and just as many new ones have visited the market this year helping to keep our local farms productive. When the market first began, there were only 8 farms participating. Now over 70 during the course of the year are part of the market and that’s because of you. This Thanksgiving, we give our thanks for your loyal support of local farms.

Even the very cold weather this past Saturday didn’t keep people away from the market. Everyone was picking up goodies for Thanksgiving dinner. You should have seen the crowds at the Peaceful Pastures and West Wind Farms booths, as people lined up to get their turkeys.

Market Customers in line to pick up local Farm Turkey’s

Two CSA’s from Delvin Farms full of Thanksgiving week fresh veggies

Sweet potatoes and pecans were being snatched up, along with butter and cream from Hatcher’s Dairy to use in turkey day desserts.

Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes and Apples from Kirkview Farm

Goat’s cheese and fudge from Noble Springs Dairy

Speaking of turkeys, that wasn’t the only meat being picked up for Thanksgiving. Chickens were flying , so to speak, out of the market. Fresh rolls and breads from Jones Mill Farms were also high on the Thanksgiving shopping list, along with desserts from Norton Family Farms.

Christmas Fruit Cake from Jones Mill Farm

Wonderful Thanksgiving week Pies from Geraldine’s Greatest Pies

Soups, Cranberry Relish and Pizza Dough from Jones Mill Farm

Fresh Baked Cakes from Flying S Farm

Frenched Rib Roast from Bear Creek Farm

Winter Farm Fresh Produce from Beaverdam Creek Farm

The greens that Rocky Glade Farm and Zadock the Natural Farm were very popular too. Overall the market was full of winter veggies to make Thanksgiving dinner top of the class.

Rocky Glade just picked winter produce

Great lettuces from Zadok the Natural Farmer

Greens, Eggs, Potatoes and more from Pilgrims Produce

Butternut Squash and Spaghetti Squash from Evans Produce

By the way, did you get a taste of the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup at the market? It’s a recipe in the market’s “Eating in Season” cookbook and samples were being handed out at the cookbook booth. The “Eating in Season” cookbook is great for your kitchen, but it also makes a great holiday gift. There were people buying cases of the cookbook for stocking stuffers and office gifts this past Saturday.

Something else we are thankful for at the market is the generosity of our customers. Even though the Love Will Keep Us Warm blanket & coat drive doesn’t start until November 30^th, several people brought blankets, coats and winter clothing to donate at the market this past Saturday. You can help out those in need stay warm this winter by donating gently-used or new blankets, coats and winter clothing at the market during the charity drive. Just look for the drop-off tent next to the market Info booth at the front of the market. We’ll be collecting the blankets, coats and winter clothing on this upcoming Saturday (November 30^th) and on Saturday, December 7^th.

What a cute, cute Labor-doodle Puppy!

And finally, this is the last week to tell us whether dogs should stay or go at the market. Many of you want dogs to continue to be allowed at the market, but it seems that just as many want the dogs to be banned from the market because of sanitary and safety issues. What do you think? Send an email to lisa@franklinfarmersmarket.com or stop by the market info booth this upcoming Saturday and let us know what you think.

Farm Produce Now Purchased in Bulk for Winter Canning and Freezing

September 9, 2013

Leave a comment

Early Saturday morning at the Franklin Farmers Market, there was a just a little touch of fall in the air. Cooler temps made for a nice start to the day. But soon, the day went back into summer mode with bright sunshine and hotter temps. It was fitting though, because there are still plenty of summer favorites available from the farmers.

Summer Okra still in good supply

Fresh picked Herbs from Bloomsbury Farm

Cucumbers, Large and Small Tomatoes from May Lo Fresh Produce

Green Beans from Rainbow Hill Farm

Fresh Plump Tomatoes from Rainbow Hill Farm

Mark Alan Artisan Woods

But this past Saturday was also the very first market day of September and while we are all about fresh food from local farms, September brings more unique arts and crafts to the Franklin Farmers Market. Every Saturday in September we celebrate the local artisans of middle Tennessee. Long time favorites, such as V’s Pottery, Lovely Beads by Brenda and Mark Alan Artisan Woods are at the market through September, but there are new crafts people too, like El’s Silverware and Glass Gardens by RuthE.

Hand made beads from Lovely Beads by Brenda

Hand carved wood from Mark Alan Artisan Woods

Custom made craft baskets from Bloomin’ Baskets

September also brings the first of big beautiful flowers to market too, like those from Bloomin’ Baskets and the huge mums from Purple Tree Farm. And the first of the pumpkins are also starting to show up. Pumpkins little and big, orange or striped white and green were spotted this past Saturday. Fresh apples are now at the market too, along with apple cider. Fall is definitely just around the corner.

Nice variety of Pumpkins from Purple Tree Farm

Just picked Apples from Rainbow Hill Farm

Apple Cider from Kirkview Farm

Fresh Carrots from Norris Family Farm

Sharon talking recipes with a young chef!

Fresh Baked Cookies from Dozen

Great Traditional Bluegrass from the Franklin Square Pickers

And with the approach of cooler weather, some of what occurs each fall at the market is quite odd. Things start to look different and curious characters begin to appear. Keep your eyes wide open…They are coming to the market soon. Very soon.

Visit photos from this past Saturday’s Market by clicking here!

Watermelon Festival Brings Fun and Games for Kids!

August 26, 2013

Leave a comment

Teddy Pennington shows off his spitting skills.

One, two, three….spit! Who knew that spitting seeds could be an athletic event? That’s what happened at the Franklin Farmers Market this past Saturday at the 2^nd annual Watermelon Festival. Contestants lined up to show off their spitting ability with watermelon seeds and claim the coveted Seed-Spitting Championship title. The winner was Casey Walker, who put the kids to shame with her athletic spitting ability. However, the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th place contestants were winners too.

The winners took home sweet juicy watermelons

All of them went home with a delicious sweet watermelon. Watermelon was definitely the star of the market, with delicious watermelon slices to munch on while walking around the market.

A big crowd at the Watermelon Festival!

As we’ve said before, it’s the high season at the market, with summer produce at its peak. Lots of people walking around with big bags filled with peppers and tomatoes; lettuce, potatoes, onions, corn, purple hull peas and much more.

Tasty, ripe bell peppers at the market

Sweet corn from the King Family Farm

And it was a record-setting hot August day for the Franklin Farmers Market too. Over 3,000 people came to the market’s Watermelon Festival! We are very grateful for your support of local farms and local food.

Local artisan Tom The Furniture Guy shows his wares

There is always music at the Franklin Farmers Market

Munching on yummy treats from Ellie’s Doughnuts

Watermelon seed bean bag toss at the festival

How fast can you eat a watermelon slice without using your hands?

The highlight of the day though was the fastest watermelon eating contest. Contestants quickly munched and slurped down watermelon slices with their hands behind their back.

Max wins the top prize

It was a very close call, but in the end, Max Atlas took home the championship along with his first place winnings – a big CSA box of produce from Delvin Farms, honey from Johnson’s Honey Farm, sweet preserves from the Norton Family Farm, chess pie from Geraldine’s Pies, fresh yummy doughnuts from Ellie’s Doughnuts, a bar of goat soap from Tottys Bend Goat Farm and of course, a delicious watermelon!

First place winner Max and his brothers hold up the contest prizes

And if you were at the market for the watermelon festival, you may now be a star on the market website! Click here and check out the photos of market day fun in our photo gallery. Lots of photos snapped, lots of smiling faces. Proof that when all was said and done, it was a great day at the Franklin Farmers Market for everyone!

Evie, a student at the Growing Kids Garden

A juicy watermelon makes everyone smile!

The Franklin Farmers Market Watermelon Festival is proudly sponsored by the Williamson Herald and Southern Exposure Magazine

Picking out the perfect watermelon

Slicing watermelon to munch at the market

Juicy, slurping fun at the watermelon eating contest

Farm Fresh Produce being purchased in Record Numbers

July 1, 2013

Leave a comment

Rocky Glade Tomatoes gone by 10am

And they’re off! When our farmers market opened last Saturday, it was just like the start of a race. Everyone was in a rush to find their favorite veggies and fruits. Farm Fresh Tomatoes were being grabbed in a hurry and blueberries were flying out of the market. Baskets of sweet juicy peaches were also being snatched up, along with beef steaks, ribs, ground beef, pork chops and other naturally raised farm meats for the outdoor grill. We take pride in having the best in fresh, locally grown food at the Franklin Farmers Market. And when produce such as tomatoes first start showing up, they are at the top of the list for everyone to take home.

Kelly’s Blueberries

Jones Mill Onions

Beaverdam Creek Veggies for Foodies

But relax. There’s plenty of good food at our farmers market. And the amount of farm produce and fruits you love increase every week through out the summer. For example, this past Saturday several of the farmers had the first of their tomato crop at the market. And there will be even more tomatoes to choose from this week. It’s the same thing with blueberries and other seasonal favorites. Our farmers grow a lot of food and you’ll always find a great selection at the Franklin Farmers Market.

Fresh Cut Flowers always popular

Jim Vaughn of Rocky Glade Farm

A lot of you stopped by the market information booth this past weekend to find out who had fresh corn or where the watermelons could be found. Remember, the food at the Franklin Farmers Market comes from local farmers, so it’s a little too early for both of those goodies to be ripe and ready in Middle Tennessee. But come by the info booth the next time you’re at the market and pick up a free copy of the Local Table magazine. It’s got a big seasonality chart so you can get a better idea of when your favorite veggies could be showing up at the market.

Delvin Farm Tomatoes

Kelly’s Blackberries

All smiles after visiting the market

We also had a lot of people asking where to find the ATM. There is an ATM near the front of The Factory. But the best things is to plan ahead and bring small bills, like ones, fives and tens to the market. And there are several farmers who now accept credit and debit cards too. So come on out to the Franklin Farmers Market this upcoming Saturday and get all of the food you want for your 4th of July weekend!

Colvin Farms Lettuce

Colvin Farm Lettuce

Beautiful Lettuces from Colvin Farm

A young supporter of Tennessee’s Colvin Farm at the Franklin Farmers Market back lot