Tag Archives: asparagus

Squash, Cucumbers and Tomatoes Enter Market!

Chilly with gray skies and a little sprinkle of rain here and there – doesn’t sound like a great day at the market, does it? But despite the weather, this past Saturday was a good day at the FFM. After all, there were lots of good late spring vegetables, such as broccoli, green onions and asparagus.

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Delicious asparagus

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Fresh green onions

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In this corner, everything needed for a salad!

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A colorful display of turnips, shallots and radishes

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Early season green beans

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A springtime favorite – green peas

And there was a little hint of the good things to come with some early cucumbers, squash and tomatoes – yes, tomatoes! Those hoop houses the farmers use can really speed up the growing times on veggies.

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Early tomatoes from Napier Farm

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How about a cool cucumber?

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Fresh radishes to munch

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Bloomsbury Farm lettuce

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Nothing like the flavor of onions

Of course, there were strawberries too – lots of them. It’s definitely berry time in Tennessee. As we do every year at the FFM, we celebrate the arrival of strawberries with our annual Strawberry Festival. It takes place next Saturday (May 24th) and the weather is predicted to be sunny and warm – perfect for a day of homemade strawberry shortcakes, games for the kids and the Barnyard Petting Zoo.

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Strawberry time in Tennessee!

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We agree – eat locally grown food

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Mark your calendar!

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Grill Day has been rescheduled for June 7th

Lots of folks were also going home Saturday with delicious cuts of meat, stocking up early for their backyard Memorial Day grilling to kick off summer in a delicious fashion. Speaking of grilling, the market’s Grill Day has been rescheduled to June 7th and hopefully the weather will match the great taste of the pork, beef, lamb and chicken from our meat farmers.

Chef Jeff Lunsford of the Hearth and Grill Shop will use his skills to grill lip-smacking samples for you to enjoy.

And finally, we notice this past Saturday that there’s more of the sweet treats at the market too, such as delicious Greek pastries and incredibly decadent toffee. We saw you munching. Confession time – we did the same thing! So yeah, it was less than perfect weather at the market. But it was still a great delicious day at the FFM!

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Sweet treats at the FFM to enjoy

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The first of the summer squash now at market

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Fresh, locally grown food and a day at the Franklin Farmers Market always make people happy! 

Farmers Market hosting local Farmers, Bakers and Artisans

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Fresh picked lettuces and radishes from Colvin Family Farm

Farmers are early birds. Up early in the morning, planting early crops, working early on the farm. So it makes perfect sense that the summer season of the Franklin Farmers Market starts early too. That’s what happened this past Saturday with a market packed with farmers, bakers and artisans. There were a lot of familiar faces, but many new ones too. It was a “berry” good day, with lots of strawberries to take home and enjoy. Music was back at the market too and choice of good fresh food was practically overwhelming.  From Greek pastries to asparagus, goat cheese to tender steaks, the FFM had everything you needed for the perfect meal.

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Fresh baked from Olive Tree Bakery

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Market Lettuces stay fresh in your refrig much longer

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Somebody loves her some Strawberries

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Fresh organic asparagus from Delvin Farms

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Farm fresh eggs from River Cottage Farm

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Nutritious Kale from Bloomsbury Farm

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Just picked Strawberries from FFM farmers

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Chef Cyndi Shalhoub demonstrating her culinary skills with fresh market produce

Speaking of the perfect meal, Saturday was the chance to try out new ways with old favorite. It was our first Chef Saturday at the market and Chef Cyndi Shalhoub was on hand, showing how to prepare three different recipes with some of your favorite veggies and handing out delicious samples to try.

Chef Saturday at the FFM will take place the first Saturday of every month at the market and it’s a great way to learn new recipes for summertime veggies and fruits.

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Beaverdam Creek Farm offers CSA’s along with many other FFM farms

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Herb starter plants from Kirkview Farm

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Kale and Strawberry salad by Chef Cyndi

It surely would not be summer if you didn’t fire up the grill. So that’s what we’re going to do this upcoming Saturday. May 10th is Grill Day at the FFM and it’s the perfect chance for you to sample great cuts of meat from farmers at the market. The ultimate grill master, Chef Jeff Lunsford of the Hearth and Grill Shop will have several grills fired up, including the dream grill of every backyard chef – the Big Green Egg. Sample beef, pork, lamb, chicken and sausage, deliciously grilled by Chef Jeff. It’s the perfect way to start summer at the FFM – yes, it’s good to be the early bird!

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A happy Delvin Farm CSA pick up of organically grown veggies

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Artisan soaps and creams from Beaverdam Creek Farm

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Starter plants available from many local farms

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Beautiful long lasting fresh picked spring flowers are now available from Sue’s Flowers each market Saturday!

Strawberries, Asparagus and more Fresh Produce Arrive at Market

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Loving that first Strawberry from the market

And they’re off! It was just like a race this past Saturday as some of you practically ran through the market to get strawberries, the first asparagus, radishes and other spring goodies. The lines for strawberries were particularly impressive. But If you missed out on the ‘berries and new veggies, don’t worry. There should be even more next Saturday. With the warm temperatures and sunshine we had, things are growing a lot faster now. Enough so, that the market will begin its’ summer season next Saturday (May 3rd), giving you an extra hour to find your favorite fresh food. Market hours will switch to 8am – 1pm.

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Delvin Farms Strawberries are in!

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Fresh Kale and Green Onions from Delvin Farms

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Asparagus from Delvin Farms

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Beautiful Radishes from Gardner Grove

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Happy FFM Volunteers ready to serve

This past Saturday was also Volunteer Day at the market. We’ve got a great group of volunteers, but we can always use more to help with special events and market operations overall. A good number of people stopped and signed up to be a member of the FFM volunteer team. If you missed out, you can become a team member by visiting the Volunteer section of the market website.  It’s a great chance to become friends with the farmers and vendors, be up close and personal for all of the FFM’s special events and to be styling in a really cool volunteer t-shirt too. Visit our volunteer page to learn more.

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Jones Mill Fresh Picked Asparagus

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Farm Strawberries anyone?

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Romain Lettuce from Norton Family Farm

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Having some fun at the Triple L Ranch

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Beaverdam Creek fresh lettuces

As we said before, days like this past Saturday really put things in the garden into high gear. Every weekend through the summer, there’s some newly harvest vegetable coming into market. It’s only natural to grab as much as you can to take home and enjoy.

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This long line of strawberry lovers snatched up all strawberries by 10am

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Green Onions and Broccoli from Norton Family Farm

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Just picked spinach from Norton Family Farm

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Get your Farm CSA’s now as shown by Beaverdam Creek Farm

But do you know how to take all of those veggies and turn them into the perfect meal? Find out how at the FFM’s Chef Saturday.  On the first market day of every month, there will be a professional chef at the market to give you more ideas on cooking. This upcoming Saturday, Chef Cyndi Shalhoub who specializes in delicious healthy organic cooking will be at the market to show you great ways to prepare the perfect meal with the fresh food from the market. When you get a sample of what she prepares, your taste buds will be doing the happy dance!

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Young plants from Earth Advocates Research Farm

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Somebody will do some serious planting

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Beautiful plants from Purple Tree Farm

Fresh Lettuce, Spring Flowers and Local Farm CSA Sign Ups

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Colorful spring flowers from Blooming Baskets

There’s nothing better than that first splash of bright color in the spring. The shades of purple and yellow on sweet pansies and Dutch iris and the beautiful pink of blooming hyacinth could all be found at the Franklin Farmers Market this past Saturday. The spring season is not quite a week old and it’s not as warm as we would like for it to be yet, but it doesn’t matter. Everyone seems to be happy about the official change of the seasons on the calendar. Overall, it was just a colorful day at the market. Besides the early spring blooms, there were bright orange and yellow carrots along with the greens of lettuce. There were big splashes of color from local artwork too. You could even see hints around the market that a visit from the Easter bunny would be happening soon. So while the temperatures may be a bit cooler than usual, spring is definitely here and that makes our farmers and everyone else very happy.

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Kirkview Farm’s tasty greens

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Fresh carrots from Norton Farm

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Norton Farm’s lettuce

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Potatoes and squash from Kirkview Farm

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As you can see, carrots are not always orange!

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Eggs from Somethin’ To Do Farm

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Crepe A Diem’s dishes are  popular!

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Blooming Baskets’ beautiful flowers

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Young plants from Kirkview Farm

So think about this for a minute – March is almost over, April is knocking on the door and before you know it, May will be here. And along with that warmer weather come the vegetables and fruit you’ve been craving since last summer. Of course, you are not the only one that’s longing for the taste of strawberries or tender young asparagus. There’s always a mad dash for fresh food at the market. But you can be one step ahead of everyone else by getting a CSA from your favorite farmer. A CSA automatically gives you the best in fresh food that’s available. Many of the farmers are signing up people up for a CSA now. Look for CSA signs at the farm booths around the market or just ask your favorite farmer if he or she has a CSA program.

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Fresh breads from Flying S Farm

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Sweet jam from Jones Mill Farms

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Hatcher Dairy’s goodies

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Delicious soups from Lucy’s Kitchen

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Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese is always great!

kids2And with the arrival of spring, we’ve started playing in the dirt. The preparation of the Growing Kids garden has begun and soon, a lot of young gardeners will be planting and learning about food and the environment. Classes at the Growing Kids Educational Garden are free and designed for kids from Pre-K to 3rd grade. It’s a hands-on, creative fun way to find out where food really comes from. Get more info on the Growing Kids garden and to register for classes. The first class at the kids’ garden is scheduled for April 22nd!

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Organics in Motion makes garden soil great

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Seedlings to plant from Paradise Produce

Check out what was in market this past Saturday by visiting our FFM website Photo Gallery.

Spring like weather brings large crowd for Farm Fresh Food

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Fresh picked mixed lettuces from Norton Family Farm

Isn’t it funny how the weather can affect your mood? Days of cold, cloudy weather can really bring you down, but when that first bright sunshiny day pops up, it’s amazing to see all the happy faces out and about. That’s the way it was this past Saturday at the Franklin Farmers Market. There was a big bunch of people all over the place, talking, smiling and picking up some of the best in fresh food from local farms that you could ever find.  There were vegetables like sweet crunchy carrots and fresh lettuce for salads, along with sweet potatoes and herbs to spice things up a bit.

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Fresh eggs and produce from the Somethin’ to do Farm

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Sweet carrots from Norton Family Farm

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A proud Grandma with her new twin baby girls!

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Farm raised beef from River Cottage Farm

And then there were all types of soups, baked goods and sweets to take home.

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Home baked pies from Pappa C Pies

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Pretzels from BB’s Gourmet Pretzels

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Sunshine cookies from Flying S Farm

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Farm made preserves from Flyring S Farm

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Hummus, pimento and chicken salads from Lucy’s Kitchen

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Fresh baked breads from Twin Forks Farm

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Home made Hummus from the Hummus Chick

All very delicious, but we’re anxiously waiting for the first real spring veggie to show up. There’s a whole lot of back and forth with the weather in March. It could be freezing cold one day and in the 70’s the next. But the official first day of spring is now just 3 days away and very soon, the first of the spring vegetables will be ripe and ready. We talked to all of the farmers at the market this past Saturday, asking about their spring crops. And after doing so, we’re betting that asparagus will be the first spring veggie to make an appearance at the market. Then again, broccoli or snow peas could surprise us and show up a bit early. But whichever one shows up first, it doesn’t matter. We’re just like you are…. Hungry for spring!

FFM No DogsSaturday was the perfect day to be outside walking the dog, so we understand why some folks brought their dogs with them to the market. Unfortunately, the Franklin Farmers Market is not the place for the dogs. As much as we love them ourselves, dogs are no longer allowed at the market due to health and safety concerns.  We’re asking everyone to please respect the market’s policy – don’t bring your pets to market!

That great sunshine on Saturday is the type of weather that makes you want to play in the dirt. We’re talking gardening. And we’re inviting your kids to play in the dirt and learn a little something about their food and the environment.  The class schedule for our Growing Kids Educational Garden is now posted on the Kids section of our website. Classes begin in April and are designed for kids from pre-k to 3rd grade. And the classes are free! It’s a great way for your kids to learn where their food really comes from, with hands-on fun in the garden. Click here to get details and sign up for classes. Learn to Grow – Grow to Learn!

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Over 20 new signs from Tom the Furniture Guy

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Judy’s homemade soups from Jones Mill Farm

Memorial Weekend at the Market! Wow, just Wow!

WOW…that pretty much sums up this past Saturday at the Franklin Farmers Market. The weather was perfect, the crowds were huge and the food was incredibly fresh and delicious. Almost everybody sold out!

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Norton Family Farm

Getting into market was a bit of a challenge though and even with one of Franklin’s finest directing traffic, cars were still backed up over the railroad tracks on Liberty Pike.

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Liberty Pike was backed most of the day

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Thanks to Franklin Police Officers for directing traffic

No wonder why the crowds were so big. There were lots of goodies at the market, including a good supply of Tennessee strawberries, asparagus and tender cuts of steaks for the Memorial Day grill-out.

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Ace’s Kettle Corn

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Johnson’s Honey Farm

And as our farmers keep growing, so will the demand to buy delicious fresh food at the market.

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Triple L Ranch

So here’s a tip on getting into the market faster: Use a different entrance.  Use the one closer to the front of The Factory complex, near the Liberty Pike/Franklin Road traffic light. Or better yet, use the entrance off Franklin Road that’s located on the far side of The Factory.

Just look for the market’s sign at the entrance, then use the parking at the side of the building.  Thank you to all our Tennessee Farmers on a wonderful day!

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Purple Tree Farm