Where Granny White turns into 12th Avenue South, business is rising and a farmers market is thriving. Every Tuesday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sevier Park hosts a farmers market full of produce and “local goodies.”
Founder and market manager, Mary Crimmims, stresses that the market’s products are produced and harvested in the Middle Tennessee region.
“Everything that we do here is within 150 miles from Nashville or less. So, it’s a producer-only market,” emphasizes Crimmims, who circulates around the information tent ready to assist people.
Customers will be able to find Tennessee produce that is in season and at its peak of freshness during the months of the market: May through October.
Other products include natural remedies, organic meats, honey, and the alternative to cow diary: goat diary.
Because most farmers operate the farms themselves, most products available at the market are organic.
Besides being able to sell and market their products, vendors enjoy the time they spend with their customers and talk about the benefits of the food they grow.
Tanner Olson, selling okra and different types of sprouts, is the founder and operator of Ramble Hill Farms. Olson finds the time he spends with customers to be a valuable experience for both parties.
“I really just like to come to these neighborhood markets, get to be apart of the community, and talk about food,” Olson says.
“Talking about food, talking about nutrition, and how to be healthy, is just a really important thing for me,” Olson states. Grinning, Olson adds, “it’s really good to come and make that connection.”
Other than being able to connect with your local farmer, you can help support the local economy.
A vendor for Delvin Farms, Karla Connely, insists that going to farmers markets benefits both the farmers and the consumers.
“I feel like farmers’ markets are important and it gives a lot of small farmers an avenue to bring their produce directly to individuals. You get to know your farmers and you get to know people who work on those farms. Having local food is a part of having food security for everyone,” Connely said.
Alex Noble, whose son founded Noble Springs Dairy, goes to farmers markets so people are able to purchase an alternative to cow’s dairy.
Noble finds many positive reasons to buy from the farmers market. “One is you come to these farmers markets and look into the eye of the person that has produced your corn or your cheese, or whatever,” Noble said.
Being local means less time traveled.
“The carbon-footprint, if you will, is much less. It’s important to a lot of people. It’s really important to me,” Noble stated.
Crimmims insists that the flavor of the produce will “blow you away” if you are used to normal store-bought groceries. But it’s more than that, Crimmims adds. “It’s an awesome place to bring your family, and just shop for local goodies.”