Category Archives: Market Saturday News

What the Farmers Market has for your Thanksgiving Shopping List

November 21, 2013

Thanksgiving gives us the chance to eat ourselves silly, with a big spread of delicious food. So get ready to pig out! Make those yummy holiday recipes with healthy fresh produce, meats and dairy from the Franklin Farmers Market and you’ll feel a little less guilty about stuffing yourself this Thanksgiving.

Triple L Ranch great tasting hen right out of the oven!

Saturday will be a day of Families doing their Thanksgiving shopping

Here’s a handy shopping list of some of the goodies you’ll find from the farmers at the market this Saturday to create the best Thanksgiving dinner ever.

Beets – delicious roasted with honey!
Broccoli – a broccoli casserole hits the spot.
Cabbage – try it grilled or sautéed
Carrots
Cauliflower – pick up some fresh cheese and drizzle over the cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Chives
Greens – lots of winter greens available now
Leeks
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Onions
Potatoes – Got to have mashed potatoes with gravy
Radishes
Shallots
Squash/Pumpkins
Sweet Potatoes – sweet ‘tater casserole is a must!
Turnips

Fresh Herbs and Lettuces from Rocky Glade Farm

Pick up fresh cheese at the market. Moonshadow Farm has delicious varieties of Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese and Noble Springs Dairy has fantastic goat cheese in different flavors. Hatcher Family Dairy Farm has the milk, cream and buttermilk you need for your recipes and the kids would love some Hatcher chocolate milk with Thanksgiving dinner.

Farm Fresh Harvest from Pilgrims Produce

Don’t forget the eggs you need for special Thanksgiving desserts. Moonshadow Farm, River Cottage Farm, Gardners Grove and Triple L Ranch are just a few of the farms with fresh eggs at the market.

Who says you have to eat turkey on Thanksgiving? From chicken to beef or ham, you can find the meat you want at the market. Check out Triple L Ranch, Bear Creek Farm, West Wind Farm, Peaceful Pastures, River Cottage, Gardner Grove and Beaverdam Creek Farm for the cuts of meat you want. Johnson’s Honey Farm and Pilgrim’s Produce have the honey you need to spread on fresh rolls. And if you don’t feel like doing all the baking, you can pick up delicious breads, pastries, cakes and more at the market. Norton Family Farm, Lucy’s Kitchen and Jones Mill Farms have what you need. Jams, jellies and preserves can be found at the market too.

Fresh Baked Breads from Flying S Farm

Jams, Jellies and Preserves from Jones Mill Farm

So go ahead…. Eat it up! Happy Thanksgiving from the Franklin Farmers Market.

Fresh Lettuces and root vegetables from Zadok the Natural Farmer

Wonderful Thanksgiving fresh picked veggies from Paradise Produce

Rocky Glade at your service!

Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes and Honey from Pilgrims Produce

Beaverdam Creek fresh Veggies

Organic Fennel from Delvin Farms

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

Should Dogs be allowed at the Franklin Farmers Market?

November 8, 2013

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Since it began in 2002, the Franklin Farmers Market has allowed customers to bring their dogs with them to the market. The market was much smaller then and crowds were not an issue. But the Franklin Farmers Market has now grown into one of the largest farmers markets in the state. The number of people visiting the market each Saturday has skyrocketed and so has the number of dogs that come with their owners. It gets pretty crowded under the market shed with people, dogs and little kids. The number of people voicing concerns over sanitary and safety issues with the pets has risen substantially this year. The Franklin Farmers Market board has been debating what to do about the problems with the dogs and have now decided that the best course of action is to ask what you think about the problem. Do you bring your dog to market? Should dogs be allowed at the Franklin Farmers Market or should they be banned? Tell us what you think. For the next three weeks, we will conduct a survey to find out what you think about the dog issue. You can fill out a comment form at the market’s info booth on Saturdays from 8am – noon or send an email to voice your opinion to lisa@franklinfarmersmarket.com .The board of the Franklin Farmers Market will discuss the results and suggestions from the survey and announce a decision on the dog issue the first week of December.

Fall Vegetables Now in Full Supply for Winter Farmers Market

November 4, 2013

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What a beautiful fall day at the market! Last Saturday was perfect for strolling around and picking up tasty fresh cool weather veggies at the market. A lot of delicious sweet potatoes, greens and root vegetables, like beets, turnips and carrots could be found.

Sweet Potatoes from Rocky Glade Farm

Radishes, Turnips and Greens from Pilgrims Produce

Organic Celery, Tatsoi and Collards from Delvin Farms

Fresh Farm Green Onions from Pilgrims Produce

Fresh Lettuces from Zadok the Natural Farmer

Red and Yellow Baby Carrots from Zadok the Natural Farmer

Farm Fresh Beets from Paradise Produce

And the fresh baked goods were lip-smacking good. Holiday sweets are sneaking into the market too. Rumor has it that Noble Springs Dairy has created goat cheese fudge that is a fantastic experience for your taste buds.

Fresh baked Sweets and Bread from Flying J Farm

Farm Preserves from Jones Mill Farm

It was a good day for socializing too, with friends and farmers. A lot of folks made a point to welcome Paradise Produce back to the market. Stacy Gentry got married and took a year off to settle into married life. He and his lovely wife Sonia were at the Paradise Produce booth with beautiful vegetables. It was her first time working at the market with her new husband and it paid off…. They sold out of everything! You can visit all photos from Saturday here.

Deb, LeeAnn and Ben enjoying some market community time

Sonia and Stacy Gentry of Paradise Produce happy to be back at the Franklin Farmers Market

A beautiful fall day was enjoyed by many

We asked a question before Saturday about whether dogs should be allowed at the Franklin Farmers Market or if they should be banned. And a lot of you had something to say about it while at the market. In fact, we ran out of the survey forms about dog issue at the FFM info booth. Some of you were quick to say that dogs were a big reason why you like to come to the market, while others told us the dogs shouldn’t be allowed because the large number of canines and big market crowds just didn’t mix too well. This past Saturday, quite a few dogs came with their owners to the market. And while most were well-behaved, there were still a few that relieved themselves inside the market shed or growled at other dogs that were there. We really love dogs. But concerns over safety and sanitary issues keep growing, so we’re asking for your help in deciding whether dogs should stay or go. Tell us what you think. You can take part in our survey about the dogs by either stopping at the market info booth on Saturdays or emailing your thoughts to lisa@franklinfarmersmarket.com . We’ll be conducting the survey through November 23rd.

There were two other big questions at the market this past Saturday that people kept asking. The first one was “when does the market close down for the year?” It doesn’t. The market goes year-round, so the farmers will be here with fresh winter produce all through the winter season.

Beautiful Organic Tomatoes from Delvin Farms

Fresh Apples from Kirkview Farm

Freshly picked cabbage and radishes from Kirkview Farm

Fresh Spinach, Garlic and Lettuces from Rocky Glad Farm

The other question was “what time does the winter farmers market open and close?” Normally, the winter market begins at 9am. But we want to give you more time to shop the market, especially for holiday food and gifts. So November through December, the market is open every Saturday from 8am – noon. In January, the winter market hours will change to 9am-noon.

Beautiful hand carved woods from Mark Alan Artisan Woods

Custom made signs made from old barn wood from Tom the Furniture Guy

Hank Delvin, Sr of Delvin Farms helping customers on a beautiful fall day at the Franklin Farmers Market

Farm Fresh Root Vegetables Carrots, Cabbage, Turnips, Sweet Potatoes now at Market!

October 28, 2013

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It was a Cold October Morning

Too cold for market? Ha! We laugh in the face of winter weather. Yes, it was cold this past Saturday. But munching a warm doughnut from Ellie’s Doughnuts while sipping hot coffee always makes a cold morning at the market much better. Lots of us also enjoyed a hot roll with sausage from Jones Mill Farms or noshed on a huge yummy muffin from Lucy’s Kitchen at the market, making that chilly weather not so bad after all.

Roast was busy selling Hot Coffee

Lucy’s Kitchen helped keep everyone fed

You can certainly tell the weather is changing just by looking at the fresh veggies at the market. Winter root vegetables, like turnips and sweet potatoes are plentiful. Collard greens are back at the market and so is cabbage.

Beautiful Sweet Carrots from Norton Family Farm

A beautiful Crop of Sweet Potatoes from Colbert Farm

Sweet White Turnips from Colvin Family Farm

Wonderful fresh lettuces from Zadok the Natural Farmer

Fresh Picked Ginger from Earth Advocates

White and Black Carrots and Red Radishes from Colvin Family Farm

But summer veggies are not quite gone yet. The last of the tomatoes are hanging on, with cherry and plum tomatoes still available from farmers with hoop houses to protect them from the frost.

Fresh Green Beans from Norton Family Farm

Large Radishes from Kirkview Farm

Red and Green Tomatoes still in good supply

The Eating in Season Cookbook has great recipes for Fall

There are a couple of things that do change with the cooler weather at the market. You can always get meats from local farms, fresh baked goods and vegetables at the market no matter if it’s summer or winter. But the selection of vegetables grown locally does change with the drop in the temperatures. If you are not sure what qualifies as a winter vegetable, stop by the market’s info table and pick up a free copy of Local Table magazine so you can see the big seasonality chart.

Number two, the hours at the market change. Starting November 2nd, the opening hour will still be 8am, but the market will close at noon. Cold weather is no big deal. Just get the fuzzy socks and mittens ready.

Soft hand knitted Alpaca ski caps from from Legacy Acres Alpaca

Custom barnwood signs from Tom the Furniture Guy

Deb missing Cecil

My ears are warm!

Fresh Picked Ginger from Earth Advocates

Delvin Farms CSA Pick Up

Winter market has begun!

Cecil Bronnenberg, Tomato Farmer passes at age 90

October 24, 2013

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Cecil Bronnenberg was well known for the tomatoes he brought to market every Saturday. Lots of people said they were the prettiest tomatoes they had ever seen. But Cecil was also known for his wonderful sweet personality and that is why we will miss him so very much. On Tuesday of this week, at the age of 90, Cecil passed away. Cecil has been a part of the Franklin Farmers Market for a long time and well-thought of not just by customers, but by the other farmers and vendors at the market. Over the course of his life, Cecil was a school principle, a farmer and a WWII Navy Veteran. Last year he went to Washington D.C. on one of the special WWII Veterans Flights to visit the WWII Memorial. It was a very moving experience for Cecil and a proud moment for those of us who loved him to see him honored for service to his country. It is with a very sad heart that we say a final goodbye to Cecil. We will miss him dearly.

Visitation for Cecil will be held from 10am – 1pm Saturday at the Coffee County Funeral Home in Manchester. Services take place at 1pm. Obituary In Cecil’s words

Cecil Bronnenberg, Tomato Farmer

Family Farm Fun visits the FFM Invasion of the Scarecrows!

October 21, 2013

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Posing with the King Farm’s giant cat

From a giant cat holding a crow, to the minions from Despicable Me, it all made for a weird, but wonderful day at the market last Saturday. The Invasion of the Scarecrows took place and even though it was a cloudy, chilly day, everyone had a great time.

Kids picked up over 300 free pumpkins in the special pumpkin patch and then painted wild colors on their pumpkins and faces too.

Got to decorate those pumpkins!

There were free pumkins for kids

It’s perfectly painted!

And our friends from Williamson Medical Center set up a great free photo booth so everyone could take home photos from the Scarecrow Invasion.

Market manager Deb Grant and the WMC team

Just got the free family photo from Williamson Medical Center!

Judges Brandy Blanton, Stephanie Clark and Nancy Williams awarded Noble Springs Dairy 1st place.

The scarecrow contest between the farmers and artisans was really something to see. Judges Nancy Williams, director of the Downtown Franklin Association, Brandy Blanton, publisher of Southern Exposure Magazine and Stephanie Clark of Williamson Medical Center had a tough time picking the winner of the contest, but in the end Noble Springs Dairy Farm won the grand prize with two goat scarecrows defending their garden against the crows. Beaverdam Creek Farm’s Despicable Me display with Gru and the Minions as scarecrows won 2nd place. And Bloomsbury/Spring Meadow Farms won 3rd with their Duck Dynasty scarecrow, complete with live ducks!

Beaverdam Creek won the 2nd place prize

Bloombury Farm’s Duck Dynasty took 3rd place

The Barkers Market scarecrow

Triple Springs Farm’s ghost

Purple Tree Farm’s Witchy Woman

The best dressed group of scarecrow winners

There were live scarecrows roaming the market too. These three from Zadock the Natural Farmer, took home the first place prize for the best dressed scarecrows.

It was a fun day at the market!

All in all, it was a wacky fun day for everyone at the Franklin Farmers Market! Click here to view all the photos taken on Saturday, you just might see yourself!

Fresh Farm Produce, Pumpkins, Great Food and Coffee!

October 14, 2013

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A fall display from Time Travelers

We have to admit, it was a little chilly Saturday when the market first opened. But a cup of coffee paired with some sweet, warm Ellie’s Doughnuts made everything okay. And even with a lot of fall festivals going on, there were still plenty of people wandering around the market and we’ve now figured out why. The Franklin Farmers Market is not only the best place for fresh food from local farms; it’s a great spot to socialize on Saturday mornings.

Maybe you pick up a yummy sourdough roll with sausage from Jones Mill Farm or you head over to the Biscuit Love truck for a bite of breakfast to munch while roaming the market. Chances are that you’ll run into a neighbor or an old friend who’s doing the exact same thing.

Kirkview Farms fresh veggies

Customers of Rocky Glade Farm

Local tomatoes still available

Plus it seems like a lot of new people are moving to Franklin and Williamson County too. Every market day, there are people who stop at the info booth to find out more about the farmers and the market.

V’s Pottery is beautiful!

Lucy’s Kitchen’s yummy soups

River Cottage Farm’s meats

Legacy Acres soft & warm Alpaca yarn

Great barnwood signs from Tom the Furniture Guy!

Colorful mums and pumpkins from Purple Tree Farm

A lot of them have just moved here. We’ve been doing a little poll of those people and have found out that quite a few of them are here from California, like this mom and her son standing next to the scarecrow. They just moved here from Los Angeles. Welcome to Tennessee!

Just moved to Tennessee!

Smiling faces & sunflowers

Posing with the pumpkin & scarecrow at the market info booth

And you may have noticed at the market this past Saturday that lots pumpkins can now be found from several farms at the market.

The King Family Farm grows lots of pumpkins!

And with those pumpkins, little scarecrows are starting to pop up everywhere.

Little scarecrows popped up at Rainbow Hill’s booth

But just wait… The market will soon be took over by scarecrows and they’ll be bringing lots of fun for the whole family. It’s The Invasion of the Scarecrows, brought to you by our friends at Williamson Medical Center.

There will be a free pumpkin patch for the kids, complete with a tractor-riding scarecrow watching over the patch. After picking out their pumpkin, kids can paint and decorate it at the Perfect Pumpkin Painting booth. The kids can get “decorated” too with face-painting from Tom the Artist. And once the pumpkins and the kids have been decorated, stop by the Williamson Medical Center’s tent for a free family photo to take home and remember the day!

Beaverdam Creek Farm’s beef cuts

Of course, there will be plenty of delicious fresh food from your favorite farmers at the market too. From big and tall to short and small, lots of scarecrows will be everywhere. It’s all happening next Saturday, October 19^th from 8am – 1pm at the Franklin Farmers Market!

A good selection from Pilgrims Produce

Click here to view pictures from this past Saturday’s market.

Kids Pumpkin Patch, Face Painting, Scarecrow Invasion for Family Fun Oct 19th

October 9, 2013

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Scarecrows take over the Franklin Farmers Market!

The Franklin Farmers Market is always a great place to bring the family, with music, lots of farmers and artisans and of course, great food. But on October 19^th, a there’s a curious change in the way things normally are. Lots and lots of scarecrows invade the market and with them comes a lot of free fun for your family!

Scarecrows, big & small are at the market.

It’s the Invasion of the Scarecrows, brought to you by our friends at Williamson Medical Center.

The free pumpkin patch for kids!

There’s a free pumpkin patch for the kids, complete with a tractor-riding scarecrow watching over the patch.

Can you paint the perfect pumpkin?

After picking out their pumpkin, kids can paint and decorate it at the Perfect Pumpkin Painting booth. Or maybe the kids would rather be the ones being decorated!

Funny free face-painting at the Invasion!

Tom the Artist can paint the perfect Halloween scene or cartoon on their faces. And after the pumpkins and the kids have been decorated, stop by Williamson Medical Center’s tent for a free family photo to take home and remember the day!

Scarecrows spotted at the Beaverdam Creek booth!

As always, there’s plenty of delicious fresh food from your favorite farmers at the market too. And from big and tall to short and small, lots of scarecrows are everywhere. It’s all happening Saturday, October 19^th from 8am – 1pm at the Franklin Farmers Market… Don’t miss it!