Tag Archives: Winter Vegetables

POLL: What Fresh Vegetables and Fruits are you Missing Most?

March 13, 2014

Summer Market Veggies

We miss them all! The summertime fresh vegetables and fruits that we love to eat. Don’t get us wrong – winter vegetables do make for good comfort food. But winter has gone on too long and we’re ready for the warm temperatures and the fresh vegetables and fruits of summer. Which veggie or fruit are you missing the most right now? Is it a ripe juicy tomato? Or maybe a strawberry is what you’re craving. Take our summer favorites poll and let us know what vegetable or fruit you’d love to find at the market now. It’s good info for our farmers, because it helps them to know what they should plant more of for this coming summer’s crop. Pick three of your favorites now!

Vote for 3 of your favorite veggies:

What 3 vegetables are you missing the most right now?

Cabbage (4%, 8 Votes)
Cucumbers (13%, 24 Votes)
Green Beans (19%, 35 Votes)
Peppers (10%, 18 Votes)
Sweet Corn (22%, 39 Votes)
Tomatoes (30%, 55 Votes)
(1%, 2 Votes)

Total Voters: 65

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Vote for 1 of your favorite fruits:

What fresh fruit are you missing most?

Strawberries (55%, 36 Votes)
Blueberries (20%, 13 Votes)
Cantaloupes (8%, 5 Votes)
Watermelons (17%, 11 Votes)

Total Voters: 65

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Finally! March is Here and Spring is in Sight!

March 3, 2014

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So the sun wasn’t shining at the market this past Saturday, but nobody seemed to care. Why? Because it was the first day of March which means spring is just around the corner and we can kiss that polar vortex weather goodbye. And while it won’t be long before you start seeing spring veggies, there are still plenty of tasty winter vegetables to be found. There were lots of winter greens at the market on Saturday to enjoy, along with the ingredients for a fresh salad of tender just picked lettuce, carrots and radishes.

Norton Family Farm just picked lettuce mix

Farm Fresh Carrots from Norton Family Farm

Beautiful fresh lettuces, kale, radishes and herbs from Rocky Glade Farm

And while a lot of you were picking up fresh vegetables from the market farms, we saw plenty of you munching on sweets too, such as muffins, donuts and cookies as you walked around the market.

Fresh Baked Cookies by Dozen

Flying S Farm Apple pies

Oh so good! An Ellie’s Old Fashioned Doughnut fan

Kirkview Farm Kale, Carrots and Butternut Squash

The official first day of spring is March 20^th, but you don’t need a calendar to tell you that spring is fast approaching. All you have to do is look around the market and see all of the farms with CSA signs. Now’s the time to sign up for a CSA share from your favorite farm so that you’ll get a weekly box of the best, in-season fruits and vegetables throughout the spring and summer. Many of the farms a CSA program, so look for their CSA signs or ask if they offer CSA’s.

Greg Brown, owner of Ford Lincoln of Franklin , our new Corporate Sponsor for 2014 with market management and farmers

And it’s now official – Ford Lincoln of Franklin is the first corporate sponsor of the Franklin Farmers Market. The Franklin Farmers Market is a non-profit 501(c)5 agricultural organization and with all of the support from the great sponsors of the market, we are able to help local farms to keep growing. And it also helps us bring great events to the market, such as the FFM Strawberry Festival and supports projects such as the Growing Kids Educational Garden. Our sincere thanks to Greg Brown, owner of Ford-Lincoln of Franklin – Welcome to the market family!

Alpaca hand knitted ski caps by Legacy Acres Alpaca Farm

Hand made Soy Candles by Intoxicating Aromas

Custom creation of Miniatures by Phillip

Red Rooster painted on real barn wood by Tom the Furniture Guy

New Winter Vegetables, Fresh Made Soups, Muffins and Breads!

February 17, 2014

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A foodie’s dream – that pretty much sums up how things were at the Franklin Farmers Market last Saturday. Think about it – there were lots of winter vegetables, like butternut squash and potatoes, perfect for tasty, warm soups.

Butternut Squash from Kirkview Farm

Kirkview Farm Red Potatoes

Rocky Glade customer picking up fresh veggies

There were tender cuts of beef, chicken and other meats to take home. There were healthy greens too and great fresh breads, muffins and other delicious baked goods.

Fresh winter greens from Rocky Glade Farm

Fresh Spinach from Zadok the Natural Farmer

Home made cinnamon rolls from Lucy’s Kitchen

Lucy of Lucy’s Kitchen with fresh made soups

Fresh baked custom designed cookies from Flying S Farm

Enjoying one of Jay’s Chicago style hotdogs

Great dairy products, such as butter, cream and the best-tasting chocolate milk ever could be found at the market. Warm donuts, yummy Chicago-style hot dogs and delicious crepes could be munched on while strolling around the market too.

Yum! Maple Granola samples from Twin Forks

The popular “Princess” from Biscuit Love

Chubby Bunny organic baby food

Diggs Farm shelled pecans

Jones Mill Farm beef stew, chicken and pimento cheese salad

Moonshadow free range eggs

And fresh eggs in different shades of color…. There was even a blue egg! Definitely a food lover’s paradise!

One of the best things about the Franklin Farmers Market is getting to know the farmers. Know your farmer, know your food and the market gives you the perfect opportunity to do so. For example, do you know where the lettuce you’ll find in a grocery comes from? Think about it – it’s a guessing game at the grocery. At the market, you know where the food comes from. Talk to the farmers about what they grow or raise on their farms. Ask them about the varieties of vegetables and fruits they have or how they raise their cattle. And check out the farmers profile section of the market’s website for more info on the farms by clicking here.

A gathering in front of Bear Creek Farm

Fresh picked Kale and spaghetti squash from Kirkview Farm

Tie Dye shirts from Pieceful Worlds Clothing

No matter that Saturday was a little chilly. Lots of sunshine made it all worthwhile to visit the market.

We love to see the smiling faces at the market each week and we make a big effort to capture each smile for our photo gallery.

Did we catch you smiling at the market this past Saturday? Click here and take a look. (insert photo gallery link)

And finally, thanks to everyone who visits the market, whether it’s cold and wet weather or a sunny, perfect day. When you come to the Franklin Farmers Market, you are supporting Middle Tennessee family farms.

Thank you!

A Lucy’s Kitchen cinnamon roll bring a smile to a young market visitor

Winter Produce, Canned Goods, Fresh Baked Food and Tennessee Maple Syrup!

February 10, 2014

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Snow covered Franklin Farmers Market sign

First, we say thanks to everyone who came out to the Franklin Farmers Market during the recent blizzard. Okay, we’re exaggerating, but the snow did fall during the first hour of the market this past Saturday. Of course, that made munching on a warm sweet treat from Ellie’s Old Fashion Doughnuts or Crêpe A Diem’s Bacon Bella crêpe even better. And when it’s a cold winter’s day, it’s just natural to crave comfort foods, like a warm bowl of homemade soup or fried chicken and biscuits. That’s why River Cottage Farm’s chickens were so popular, along with homemade breads from Jones Mill Farm.

Charlie Hatcher enjoying a crepe

This little one was bundled up tight between Mom and Dad

Ellie’s Old Fashioned Doughnuts hot and fresh

Lucy’s Kitchen soups ready for you tummy

Jones Mill fresh baked breads are great with farm made soups

Even though the winter veggies at the market are tasty and fresh, some of you are getting a little anxious for warmer weather and the garden goodies that go with it. Everyone’s a little hungry for spring, but we do have a solution to getting the most out of winter veggies and liven things up for your taste buds. Just be a little creative. Use your imagination and prepare the carrots, cabbage, squash or other winter vegetables in different ways. From soups to salads, main dishes and even desserts, you can find recipes for hundreds of different ways to prepare winter veggies.

Hummus Chick Hummus is always fresh from her kitchen

Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese are provided by Moonshadow Farm

Jones Mill Flourless Chocolate Cake with a touch of Expresso

Jones Mill chicken salad and pimento salad are fresh made right from Judy’s kitchen

Tennessee Free Range Eggs from Pilgrims Produce

Farm Ground Corn Meal and Grits from Beaverdam Creek Farm

To get you started, we’ve got a recipe for you. Pick up some butternut squash and carrots on your next trip to the Franklin Farmers Market and prepare this special Butternut Squash & Carrot Soup. It’s mouthwatering delicious!

Tennessee Maple Syrup from Pilgrims Produce

And here’s something else to put on the list when you come back to the market – Tennessee maple syrup. That’s right – it’s Tennessee maple syrup, not Vermont or Canada. It is lip-smacking delicious for pancakes and waffles, but don’t dilly-dally about picking up a bottle. Pilgrims Produce Farm only tapped about 20 gallons of maple syrup this year, so it going to go quickly!

And finally, here’s another thought about spring – it’s time to get the kids in the garden. Look for information on the Growing Kids Educational Garden at the end of February. It’s a delicious way for kids to learn more about food, nutrition and the environment. Think Spring! And don’t forget to check out Saturday’s market day pictures.

Lucy’s Kitchen Muffins always fresh baked

Catherine of Flying S Farms delivering an order of Valentine Day Cookies

Beaverdam Creek Soap

Winter Vegetables, Meats and Soups make for great Farm Fresh Meals

January 6, 2014

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It was a cold and windy day, but that didn’t bother us at the Franklin Farmers Market this past Saturday. Okay, that’s not quite true because it was really chilly, but it certainly didn’t keep our farmers from bringing you the best in winter vegetables, like carrots, squash and potatoes.

Winter greens from Paradise Produce

Carrots, collards, cabbage and potatoes from Kirkview Farm

Fresh organic cabbage from Delvin Farm

Tennessee farm grown lettuces from Norton Family Farm

Tennessee families picking up farm fresh produce

And even though it was a cold day, there was plenty at the market to warm you up. Lots of folks were munching warm treats from Ellie’s Old Fashion Donuts or enjoying one of Jones Mill Farms’ hot homemade rolls with Triple L Sausage.

Gotta have my Ellie’s Old Fashioned Doughnut!

Fresh baked, hot and ready Sourdough roll with Triple L Sausage from Jones Mill Farm

And there were lots of veggies that people were taking home to create their own warm comfort food. For example, fresh carrots from Paradise Produce, along with cabbage from Delvin Farms were being bought to make homemade soup. You can view pictures from Saturday’s market here.

Just picked Carrots, Kale, lettuces and spinach from Paradise Produce

Fresh beets from Paradise Produce

Those who didn’t want to make their own took a delicious shortcut and took home some of Flying S Farms yummy soups. There’s nothing quite like a bowl of hot grits to warm you up and bags of Beaverdam Creek Farm’s stone-ground grits were being snatched up in a hurry. So yes, it was cold and windy, but the trip to the market was worth it to load up ongood food for chilly winter weather.

After market lunch of Triple L Ranch Ribeye, Delvin Farm organic Brussels Sprouts and Potato Soup from Jones Mill Farm…Nothing better on a cold day!

Farm Preserves, Jams and Jellies from Jones Mill Farm

Farm baked Breads from Jones Mill Farm

Fresh Baked Pies from Geraldine

Kenny’s Cheeses from Moonshadow Farm

It’s a new year and with it comes a few reminders from the market – First, winter market hours have changed. The winter market is now open from 9am – noon and will remain that way until spring. Second, the “no dogs at the market” rule is now in effect, so please leave your pets at home. And third, don’t forget to vote for the best name for the little calf at Triple L Ranch. You can get the complete story on the calf and vote for his name by clicking here.

Finally, it is with great sadness that we say goodbye to one of our own at the market. Ed Johnson, the patriarch of Johnson’s Honey Farm passed away this weekend. Having the best honey in Tennessee was a passion of Mr. Johnson’s and it showed in the honey his bees produced. Bees have been a part of Mr. Johnson’s farm since 1918, making Paula Morton, his daughter and familiar figure at the market a 3^rd generation beekeeper. Our hearts, prayers and sympathies go out to the Johnson family.

Ed Johnson of Johnson’s Honey Farm will be missed by the entire state of Tennessee and beyond, including farmers from all over the world. His family will continue his legacy.

Winter Vegetables and Homemade Soups make for Nutritious Family Meals

November 17, 2013

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What happen to the sunshine and 60-something degree weather that was forecast? No matter, we still had good food at the market last Saturday. Broccoli and winter greens; carrots, radishes, turnips and lettuce were plentiful. We even came across a few cherry tomatoes from Delvin Farms.

Fresh cut Broccoli from Kirkview Farm

Beautiful farm fresh lettuces from Zadok the Natural Farmer

Organic Cherry Tomatoes from Delvin Farms

Sweet Potatoes from Rocky Glade Farm

Turnip Greens, Radishes, Sweet Potatoes, Butternut Squash and so many winter greens!

Carl and son ready to serve you each market Saturday

Golden Yellow Baby Mangel Beets from Paradise Produce

Lucy’s Kitchen and Jones Mill Farm had delicious varieties of soups and great fresh breads… the perfect winter supper!

More Homemade Soups from Jones Mill Farm

Fresh Baked Breads from Jones Mill Farm

Homemade Soups from Lucy’s Kitchen

Farm Meats from River Cottage Farm

Triple L Ranch provides local farm Beef, Chicken and Sausages right off the farm.

Check the calendar. It won’t be long for before the holidays arrive and you know what that means… lots of yummy sweets! One of the biggest hits at the market Saturday was Noble Springs Farm’s new goat cheese fudge. That’s right… goat cheese fudge and boy, is it sweet and rich with chocolate. It was a full house at the market. Besides all of the farms, there were quite a few artisans with unique crafts that would make the perfect Christmas gift.

Great tasting Fudge made with Goat Milk from Noble Springs Dairy

Many different varieties of Goat Cheese from Noble Springs Dairy

Sweet little dogs!

A lot of people were stopping at the info booth to let us know what they thought about having dogs at the market. Hundreds of you have filled out the dog survey form or emailed your opinions on whether dogs should be allowed or banned at the market. One of the biggest complaints about having dogs at the market is about sanitary concerns, while others say they’ve never seen any dogs relieving themselves in the market. Unfortunately, we found out first hand on Saturday that it does happen. While a customer was at the market info booth filling out the survey form, her dog decided it was a good place to potty! We love dogs, but there are some issues with having them at market. How can we solve them? You’ve got until November 30^th to tell us whether dogs should be allowed or banned from the market and give us your ideas of what else could be done. Either stop by the market booth to fill out the survey or send an email to lisa@franklinfarmersmarket.com and let us know what you think. A decision on the dogs will be announced the first week of December.

And we also had a lot of people asking this past Saturday about the blanket, coat and winter clothing drive that will be taking place at the market soon. The Franklin Farmers Market is happy to be a part of the “Love Will Keep Us Warm” charity drive to help those in need stay warm this winter. You can drop off your donation of gently used or new blankets, sweaters, coats, hats and more at the market on November 30^th or on December 7^th. If you are unable to bring your donation to the market on those dates, you can visit other drop off locations on different dates in Rutherford and Williamson Counties. For more information, email dottie@mixtapeanthology.com or norabp78@yahoo.com . Share the warmth!

You can visit pictures from this past Saturday’s market by clicking here. So much beautiful produce in the market now!

Enjoying Community at the Franklin Farmers Market is a Traditional Family Activity for many local Tennessee Families

Market Customers Enjoying New Winter Vegetables for Home Cooking!

November 11, 2013

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Chef Vinny of Saffire restaurant handing out Butternut Squash Bisque

You know how we been saying that winter vegetables are good to eat and tasty too? That you should try different recipes to see how good veggies like turnips, beets, cabbage and squash can really be? Well, we proved our point this past Saturday at the market with help from Chef Vinny of Saffire. With a mixture of butternut squash, maple cream, fried sage and other delicious ingredients, he created a warm winter soup that was literally lip-smacking good.

Preparation of Butternut Squash from the morning market

Yum! Yum! Hot Butternut Squash Bisque prepared by Chef Vinny

Chef Vinny giving out free samples!

Chef Vinny’s butternut squash bisque went so fast, he had to quickly create another pot of it. Saffire is well known for the mouthwatering dishes served there and now we know why. Chef Vinny will be back at the Franklin Farmers Market this winter to prepare another scrumptious dish featuring winter veggies. You can get his butternut squash bisque recipe on Saffire’s facebook page.

Yes, it is Yum! Yum! Good!!!

Homemade Farm Soups from Flying S Farm

And pick up a copy of the market’s “Eating in Season” cookbook for lots of delicious recipes, including our own version of Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. You can pick up Eating in Season at our special cookbook stand or at the market info booth every Saturday.

Winter Root Veggies from Paradise Produce

Delvin Farms Organic Cauliflower

Franklin Farmers Market Recipe Book "Eating in Seasons"

Franklin Farmers Market Recipe Book “Eating in Season” available on Saturday’s at the FFM

Market visitors voting on allowing dogs at the market

We asked for you to tell us how you feel about dogs at the market and you’ve been doing some big talkin’. Hundreds of you have emailed or filled out our survey form at the market to tell us whether dogs should be allowed or banned at the market. With big crowds and lots of dogs at the market, there are concerns over sanitary and safety issues that affect not just people but dogs too. What do you think? Through November 30^th, you can express your opinion and suggestions on dealing the dog issue. Just email lisa@franklinfarmersmarket or stop by the market info booth on Saturdays. The market board will announce their decision the first week of December.

Fresh baked bread from Flying S Farm

The chilly weather at the market and the forecast for snow flurries later this week made us think about the holidays which are fast approaching. Thanksgiving is just about 3 weeks away and shortly after that, the big man with the white beard and reindeer will be showing up. The market is the place for delicious food and unique gifts for loved ones.

Franklin Family picking up CSA from Delvin Farms

Winter Greens from Zadock the Natural Farmer

But this holiday season, it’s also the place to give to those who need your help. Beginning the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 30th, the Franklin Farmers Market will kick off the “Love Will Keep Us Warm” charity drive to collect blankets, coats, scarves, gloves and more to keep those in need to protected from winter’s cold weather. Maybe you have a coat you don’t wear anymore or a blanket that’s been tucked away in storage for a while. Donate them and keep someone warm for the winter. Watch for more information on our website and in the market’s ‘farm fresh’ newsletter soon.

FFM