Monthly Archives: June 2013

Tennessee Tomatoes and Blackberries arrive at Farmers Market

June 23, 2013

Fresh Blackberries make their entrance for 2013!

The Word for the Day is…

Actually it’s two words: Tomatoes and blackberries! The very first tomatoes for the summer season were available at the Franklin Farmers Market this past Saturday from Rocky Glade Farm. It wasn’t a huge amount, but who cares? They were the first real Tennessee tomatoes of the year and everybody wanted one.

There were the blackberries.

Rocky Glade Farm had Tomatoes that sold out fast

This girl is all smiles over farm fresh blueberries and tomatoes

Kelley’s Berry Farm had the first pick of their crop of blackberries and so did the Colbert Family Farm. Again, the first of the season and not in a huge amount, but within the next couple weeks, the number of blackberries will grow much larger. Summer has officially started and with the warm weather and sunshine, more and more crops are ready for picking and enjoying, so what’s available at market changes each week.

Kirkview Farm is loaded with summer produce

The Green Beans and Cabbage are all so beautiful

The market was pretty busy this past Saturday. We even had a tour of folks from Kentucky. The Kentucky State Agriculture Department’s Roadside Market Tour brought a busload of people into visit and they had nothing but good things to say about your market.

The Kentucky Roadside Market Tour visiting on Sat.

Market Manager Deb Grant visiting with Kentucky tour

And finally, everyone kept asking about the photo of the kids with the tractor in the market’s newsletter last Thursday. Those little “farmers” are all part of the Growing Kids Educational Garden classes that we conduct at the Park in Harlinsdale Farm just across from The Factory on Franklin Road. The classes take place every Thursday at the garden and the kids get to learn about such things good bugs and bad bugs, why worms are a good thing and the scoop on how cow poop can make a garden grow. Lots of hands-on activities too and classes are free. Registration for July classes is open now. Find out more by clicking on Kids section of the market website. Come see us next Saturday at the market!

As always Beaverdam Creek Farm has a large variety of Tennessee Farm Fresh Produce and CSA’s

Farmers Bring Fresh Green Beans, Squash, Cucumbers, Blueberries, Peppers, Onions and More to Market

June 17, 2013

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You know it’s going to be a good day when you spy the first of the blueberries at the market. They were the early variety, tasty and juicy. Those blueberries didn’t last long though, but that’s okay.

Deb ringing in the Start of a wonderful Market Day

Lot’s of new visitors and vacationers enjoying the day

The market was full of delicious food last Saturday. Green beans and new potatoes, along with cauliflower, beets and other fresh produce were plentiful. A lot of good farm eggs were snapped up too, along with tender steaks for the grill. Yummy breads, desserts and honey…. It was a food paradise!

Fresh Flowers to Fresh Veggies at the market

Lucy’s Kitchen always has Breakfast Treats ready

First Cucumbers of Summer

Where’s my Olive Oil and Outdoor Grill?

Absolutely Beautiful Potatoes

The new Franklin Farmers Market Recipe Book has wonderful Recipes from our Famers!

We still have Strawberries…but not for long!

Ellie’s Fresh Made Old Fashion Donuts

But sometimes you can’t find the vegetable you really want at the market. A lot of questions were asked Saturday about when would tomatoes show up at market; why weren’t there any watermelons and where was the corn? Georgia and Alabama produce typically is ripe and ready about two weeks before it is in Tennessee. The further south a farm is, the quicker the garden grows. Plus this year, we had a wet and cool spring, so some produce is running a little later than usual. But you need to be familiar with the seasonality of produce and fruit grown in Tennessee. Tomatoes typically are not ripe and plentiful until July. It’s the same thing with corn and watermelons are at their best in July and August too. Next Saturday, stop by the Market Information booth and pick up a free copy of Local Table. It’s a great guide to food and farming in Middle Tennessee, and it also has a big seasonality chart so you can get a better idea of when your favorite veggies and fruits are ripe and at market.

Speaking of tomatoes, nothing says summer like a deliciously ripe tomato. And we’re not talking about those tomatoes that are shipped in from other states or countries. We crave real tomatoes; the locally grown tomatoes. So when those first Middle Tennessee tomatoes are ripe and ready, it’s time to celebrate. And we’re going to do just that with our salute to tomatoes. Don’t miss the Franklin Farmers Market’s TomatoFest, July 27^th. Fresh tomatoes are the stars of the show. Enjoy samples of delicious heirloom tomatoes. Watch cooking demos of Chef Steven from Amerigo. Learn seed-saving techniques and take part in the ugly tomato contest. It’s a tomato lover’s heaven… TomatoFest at the Franklin Farmers Market!

New Fresh Peppers

Lovely Green Onions

The clean smell of Lavender was in the Air

New Tennessee Farm Fresh Food Now Arriving to Market

June 10, 2013

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Lettuces, Carrots and Radishes

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.

Cauliflower and Broccoli in plentiful supply

Farm Fresh Squash and Zucchini’s