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9:34 a.m. August 4, 2015
Tennessee Farmers Markets celebrating National Farmers Market Week
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KNOXVILLE — Farmers markets throughout Tennessee are celebrating National Farmers Market Week. Area farmers markets bring fresh, local and organic food to sell to the public.
There are 154 farmers markets listed on the department’s Pick Tennessee Products website. The new Pick Tennessee Mobile App makes it easy to find farmers markets with location, hours and days of operation and contact information
According to Hal Pepper, a specialist at the University of Tennessee Extension Center for Profitable Agriculture, the number of farms with direct sales to consumers has increased steadily since 1997. Census of Agriculture data reports that overall, from 1997 to 2012 the number of Tennessee farms with direct sales to consumers increased from 2,694 to 3,679, a 36.6 percent increase. The value of agriculture products sold directly to consumers increased by 128.9 percent, from $8.4 million to $19.2 million. The average value of direct sales per farm in Tennessee has also steadily increased and in 2012, the latest year data are available, was $5,214.
Amy Tavalin, farmers market specialist with Tennessee Department of Agriculture, indicated that Tennessee was number one in the nation in 2014 for farmers market growth.
Many farmers markets accept credit and debit cards and offer EBT technology for use by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. Farmers markets provide outlets for agricultural producers and consumers by offering opportunities for farmers to meet the demand for fresh, affordable, convenient and healthy products sold directly from the farm.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator Anne Alonzo will kick-off National Farmers Market Week on Saturday, August 1, 2015, at the Santa Fe Farmers Market in New Mexico. AMS will also host a special event the USDA Farmers Market on Friday, August 7, just outside the USDA headquarters in Washington, DC.
The UT Institute of Agriculture provides instruction, research and outreach through its College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch, including its system of 10 research and education centers, and UT Extension offices in every county in the state.
Farmers markets in Knox and surrounding counties include:
ANDERSON COUNTY:
Shannon Meadows Farmer
5 West Norris Road
Norris Commons, in front of Norris Middle School
Norris, TN 37828
Phone: (865) 494-9709
www.norrisfarmersmarket.weebly.com
Norris Farmers Market will be open April 26th - November on Mondays from 3-6 p.m. Fruit, vegetables, eggs, honey, prepared foods, soap, & plants will all be available. All products are locally grown or are made by the vendors.
Jackson Square at Georgia Avenue
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Phone: (865) 992-0223
www.eastTNfarmmarkets.org
The Oak Ridge Farmers Market operates on Wednesdays, 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon from mid-April through late November. In addition to locally-grown vegetables, herbs, fruits and berries, local producers offer honey, meats, eggs and specialty cheeses. Fresh baked breads, cookies, granola, scones and more are market favorites from local bakers. A diverse collection of flowering and vegetable plants and fresh cut flowers are available from seasoned local growers.
BLOUNT COUNTY:
Maryville Farmers Market on Saturday
Broadway, Founders Square
Founders Lot (near CBBC Bank)
Maryville, TN 37804
Phone: (865) 977-1734
www.maryvillefarmersmarket.org
The Maryville Farmers Market on Saturday is from Mid April - Mid November and is located at in the heart of Maryville on Broadway,Founder's Square, Founder's Lot near CBBC Bank. Market hours are 9 - 12 noon.
The market has vegetables, fruits, potted bedding plants, herbs, honey, eggs, bread, jams, jellies, chicken, beef, lamb, pork and more from East Tennessee growers.
Maryville Farmers Market on Wednesday
703 West Broadway
New Providence Presbyterian Church
Maryville, TN 37804
Phone: (865) 977-1734
www.maryvillefarmersmarket.org
The Wednesday market will be open from 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. starting the first Wednesday in June thru August.
The market has vegetables, fruits, potted bedding plants, herbs, honey, eggs, bread, jams, jellies, chicken, beef, lamb, pork and more from East Tennessee growers.
KNOX COUNTY:
Dixie Lee Farmers Market
12740 Kingston Pike
Concord, TN 37934
Phone: (865) 816-3023
www.dixieleefarmersmarket.com
Saturday mornings: 9:00 am - noon
Melons, tomatoes, peppers, beans, many varieties of corn, greens, carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, peas, squash, zucchini, free range eggs, grass fed meats, honey, potted plants, fresh cut flowers and herbs, cheese, baked goods, pottery, soaps, organic skin care, hand bound books, photography and other handmade crafts.
Ebenezer Road Farmers Market
1001 Ebenezer Road
Knoxville, TN 37922
Phone: (865) 992-0223 865-483-9124
www.easttnfarmmarkets.org
Situated in the parking lot of Ebenezer United Methodist Church, corner Ebenezer Road and Westland Drive. Tuesdays 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM, mid-April through November. Fresh fruits, vegetables, grass fed beef, honey, chicken, pork, eggs, cheese, plants and flowers, bakery products and more.
Lakeshore Park Farmers Market
5908 Lyons View Pike
Next to the Knox Youth Sports Building
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 992-0223
www.easttnfarmmarkets.org
The longest continuous operating farmers market in east Tennessee, the Lakeshore Park Farmers Market operates on Fridays, 3 to 6 p.m., from about mid-April through late November. Local farmers, growers and bakers bring a wide variety of products to the market.
New Harvest Park Farmers Market
UT Ag Ext Agent & Director
4700 New Harvest Park Lane
Knoxville, TN 37918
Phone: (865) 215-2340
www.knoxcounty.org/parks/index.php
Thursday afternoons, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m., April through November. Fresh, local products include fruits and vegetables, organic produce, meats, dairy, and plants and flowers. Accepts EBT/SNAP
The Market Square Farmers Market
Downtown Knoxville- Between Wall Ave. and Union St
Knoxville, TN 37901
Phone: (865) 405-3135
www.marketsquarefarmersmarket.org
Open Wednesdays 11 a.m. - 2p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2p.m., May through November/ Open Air Seasonal. :ocal produce, free range eggs, local eggs, and crafts from local artisans, baked goods, herbs, and much more. Accepts EBT/SNAP
UT Farmers Market of Knoxville
2506 Jacob Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: (615) 473-0332 (865) 974-8332
www.vegetables.tennessee.edu
Wednesdays, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. from May - October. Fresh, local produce, plants, & food. Located conveniently in the UT Gardens at Jacob Drive off Neyland Drive.
SEVIER COUNTY:
Gatlinburg Farmers Market
Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community
at the Covered Bridge (849 Glades Road)
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone: (865) 654-1699
www.gatlinburgfarmersmarket.com
Open May 16th through October 17th, 8:30 a.m. til noon. Kids Day every 4th Saturday and special events every second Saturday.
Old Mill Square Farmers Market
3341 Old Mill Street
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Phone: (865) 282-5572 865-247-2171
Open June through August from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and September through October from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.. Old Mill Pottery House parking lot.
Seymour Farmers Market
11621 Chapman Highway
Seymour, TN 37865
Phone: (865) 453-0130
www.seymourfarmersmarket.org
Open Saturdays from 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 a.m. June to the fall season, the market can be found in the parking lot of the Seymour 1st Baptist Church, about 1/4 mile south of Hwy 411/441 intersection on Chapman Hwy. in Seymour. Fruit from local orchards, produce, honey, plants, flowers & herbs,and baked goods from local bakeries.
Downtown Sevierville Farmers Market
Downtown Sevierville Commons
136 Bruce St.
Sevierville TN 37862
Fridays 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. June 5 – October 9, 2015. Locally-grown fruit and vegetables, crafts, honey, and other local fare including homemade breads.
Published August 4, 2015
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