Monthly Archives: January 2014

Go Farm Fresh for Super Bowl Sunday Snacks

January 27, 2014

Kirkview Farm fresh cabbage, carrots, squash and potatoes

Saturday at the Franklin Farmers Market was windy and chilly; Sunday was sunny and very pleasant and today we’re back to shivering and freezing. At least the weather hasn’t kept our farmers from growing tasty winter vegetables for you.

We saw a lot of people taking home goodies like cabbage and carrots, beets and winter squash from such farms as Delvin Farms, Paradise Produce and Kirkview Farm.

Delvin Farm organic cabagges

Paradise Produce winter greens, carrots and beets

Flying S Farm Supper Bowl Cookies…Place you order now!

And many of you are already thinking Super Bowl Sunday snacks. There were plenty of folks stopping to sample the tasty goodies from BB’s Gourmet Pretzels which are perfect for munching in front of the TV. And did you see Flying S Farms’ Super Bowl cookies? Too cool!

Goat cheese from Noble Springs Dairy is also a good choice to make delicious snacks for football days.

Goat cheeses from Noble Spring Farms

Organic Salza from Delvin Farms for Super Bowl Sunday

Fresh made kitchen salads and pimento cheese spread from Lucy’s Kitchen

Lucy’s homemade soups

Hot biscuit sandwiches from Biscuit Love

Of course, when the weather is cold like it has been this month, there are some delicious ways to stay warm at market.

There are the hot delicious biscuit sandwiches from Biscuit Love, sweet warm treats from Ellie’s Old Fashion Doughnuts and the absolute best homemade rolls with Triple L Sausage patties from Jones Mill Farms.

Muffins and cinnamon rolls from Lucy’s Kitchen

Home baked cookies from Flying S Farm

Fresh made Ellie’s Old Fashioned Doughnuts

Hand knitted Alpaca Fleece garments from Legacy Acres

But the other big hit at the market this past Saturday had nothing to do with food. Legacy Acres Alpaca Farm booth was the place to be. Alpaca fleece is very soft and extremely warm. All the hats, gloves, scarves and other Alpaca goodies from Legacy Acres can make a chilly day downright pleasant.

All in all, this January is the coldest we’ve had in a long time but that hasn’t stopped the smiles at the market every Saturday. Take a look at the market’s photo gallery and see if we caught you or someone you know smiling at the market. Our thanks to you for coming out on chilly days to the FFM and supporting Tennessee farmers!

You can visit our Saturday market photos to see who was at market.

Everyone’s best friend was a propane heater on Saturday!

Baby Calf has a Name and Farmers bring Farm Fresh Produce to Market

January 20, 2014

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It was another cold day at the FFM

Mother Nature has been a bit grumpy and unpredictable this winter. The chilly wind blowing through the Franklin Farmers Market this past Saturday was proof of that. It’s the sort of weather that calls for a good dose of comfort food and that’s what everyone was getting at the market. Instant warm-ups, like those hot doughnuts from Ellie’s Old Fashion Doughnuts or Jones Mill Farm’s sourdough rolls with Triple L Sausage definitely qualified as comfort food. So did the hot chocolate from Ridiculous Chocolate and warm freshly prepared cornbread, made with Beaverdam Creek Farm’s special mill stone ground cornmeal.

Warm doughnuts and hot coffee from Ellie’s

Stone Ground Cornmeal and Grits from Beaverdam Creek Farm

Veggies, like potatoes and cabbage to make homemade soups. Great meats, like a chuck roast for a warm delicious meal.

Organic Cabbage from Delvin Farms

Delvin Farms Organic Potatoes

Tender tasty fresh beef from Bear Creek Farm

Homemade soups from Lucy’s Kitchen

Kenny’s Cheeses from Moonshadow Farm

And the vivid orange carrots and green Brussels sprouts offered a little tease of spring with their bright colors.

Garlic, Turnips and Tomato Sauce from Delvin Farms

Winter Squash from Delvin Farms

Delvin Farms Brussels Sprouts

Here’s a question for you: You don’t see any flowers growing or green leaves on trees, so how do vegetables grow during the winter? We overheard that very question being asked at the market this past Saturday. Are those veggies grown somewhere else in warmer weather and then shipped in to Tennessee? The answer to that question is no. Some vegetables, such as cabbage grow much better in cooler weather. But when the weather gets a little cold, row covers and hoop houses go over the top of the plants to protect them. The coverings help the plants to get a little more warmth from the sun and protection from frost too. So what you see in the FFM during the winter really is grown on a local farm.

Call me Buttermilk!

And finally, the voting is over and the little calf at Triple L Ranch is no longer without a name. Say hello to Buttermilk. The top seven names in the Name the Calf contest were Ollie, Jasper, Ace, Leo, Oliver, Bartholomew and Buttermilk. Who submitted the winning name? It was actually Ann Lee of Triple L Ranch. Ann put the name Buttermilk in the poll as a little joke, because the calf is neither a heifer nor a dairy cow. But that kind of backfired, because Buttermilk was voted as the favorite name for calf. The runner-up in the contest was the name Bartholomew, which was submitted by Savana Stroud. So the Lee family has awarded the prize of a day at the Triple L Ranch to Savana. Our thanks to everyone who voted in the Name the Calf contest!

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.

Fresh lettuces from Paradise Produce

Farm fresh eggs from River Cottage

Sunshine brings out Tennesseans for Winter Farm Fresh Foods!

January 13, 2014

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Sunshine brought happy smiles from everyone at the market on Saturday!

Sunshine, smiling faces and the best in farm fresh foods from local farms – there’s not a better way to start the day and that’s what type of day it was at the market this past Saturday. What a difference a week can make! No more nasty polar vortex weather to deal with and that brought lots of happy people out the FFM. Quite a few of our farmers sold out of their fresh winter produce.

Brussels sprouts and cabbage, colorful carrots and potatoes were going home with smiling customers as well as baskets of fresh apples.

Paradise Produce

Pilgrims Produce

Kirkview Farm

Farm Fresh Veggies for the week is a good thing

Kirkview Farm still has crisp sweet apples!

Fresh baked goods, grits, eggs, pecans and tender local beef, pork and chicken – it was all at the market Saturday. And we spotted some of you taking home fresh green kale for salads or maybe to make that crazy good kale fudge pops recipe we told you about last week.

Lucy of Lucy’s Kitchen enjoying the sun

Tennessee pecans from the Diggs Family Farm

Flying S Farm sweet treats

Homemade soups from Lucy’s Kitchen

Organic locally made baby food by Chubby Bunny

Speaking of recipes, some of you have been asking about the market’s Eating in Season cookbook and where you can get a copy of it. The cookbook booth is on winter break, but you can still pick up a copy of Eating in Season at the market. You’ll find the cookbooks at the Norton Family Farm booth. And while you are there, pick up some of the Norton’s famous fresh lettuce or delicious baked goods, like Karen Norton’s fantastic biscotti – perfect with a fresh cup of coffee!

And finally, we also spotted quite a few of you stopping by to ask the folks at Triple L Ranch about the name of their new four-legged family member. But they don’t know, because voting for the calf’s name isn’t over with yet. This Saturday, January 18^th the polls will close, so you need to get your vote in now and pick the name for the little fellow. Should he be named Bartholomew or is Jasper a better name? What about Ollie or Buttermilk? You make the choice. Vote now!

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

An excited market customer buying her first Miniature by Phillip, hand crafted by a local artisan

Custom barn wood signs by Tom the Furniture Guy

Folk art on a sunny day

Muffns from Lucy’s Kitchen brings a smile

We’re just happy to be at the market!

Hatcher’s Chocolate Milk

Nothing sweeter than local honey from Johnson’s Honey Farm. Great for hot winter drinks!

Kale Fudge Pops Recipe

January 9, 2014

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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.

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.