We are lucky to have access to heirloom fruits, vegetables, and grain such as Cherokee purple tomatoes, pesticide-free strawberries, and Hickory Cane corn in East Tennessee. We can also buy grass-fed beef, free-range chickens and eggs, and the prosciutto of the South—Benton’s bacon! Eating locally and in season can change your perspective on how incredible fruits and vegetables can taste. Eating your vegetables is hardly a chore when they’re bursting with flavor and freshness. Market season allows the farmers and artisans to exhibit their hard work and we’ve been looking forward to it since December.
Visit every vendor
There are numerous vendors at every farmers market, and each has special heirloom varieties of produce that cannot be seen in a regular grocery store. These include heirloom red, green, or purple okra, purple beans, ambrosia corn, watermelon radishes, over 20 types of tomatoes, and much more. There are also vendors who sell handmade products such as buttermilk soap, candles, goat cheese, and granola.
Food
Getting hungry while picking your produce? Don’t worry! There are several food trucks and stands to satisfy your cravings. Dale’s Fried Pies, Pop Culture popsicles, Savory and Sweet truck, Cruze Dairy Farm Milk Bar and many others have specialty foods you cannot find at other restaurants.
Giving back to your community
Not only is shopping at your local farmers market a fun and delicious experience, it is a chance to give back to your community. Buying locally supports the farmers and artisans to create and expand their business. Buying locally also takes some of the guess work out of choosing foods that are safe and nutritious—as you can ask the farmer directly about his or her growing and harvesting practices. Farmers also tend to have great ideas for how to prepare the produce if it’s new to you.
Flexibility
There is a market for almost every one. Whether you live in Norris or Sequoyah Hills, there is a market open near you. Here is a list of all of the market times and locations compiled by Rebecca Simmons for FamilyFriendly Knoxville. If you’re not from this region, see Pick Tennessee Products for a list of markets all over TN. Also see Growing Seasons to find out what is in season.
Contributed by Jaanki Purohit 2013 UTK Dietetic Intern
