On Friday, March 11 the Knoxville community will have a chance to meet more than 10 local farmers. You will have an opportunity to learn how you can buy local, seasonal produce directly from a farmer.

The event is being hosted by The Knox County Health Department (KCHD) and Nourish Knoxville. This is the first Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Fair. It will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the KCHD Community Room, 140 Dameron Ave.

“By creating another opportunity for our community to meet its local farmers and purchase their produce, we’re not only increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables, we’re also helping the local economy by supporting our farmers,” said KCHD Program Manager Fiona McAnally.

Participating farms include Abbey Fields Farm, Care of the Earth Community Farm, Colvin Family Farm, Crooked Road Farm, Garden Delivery CSA, J.E.M. Organic Farm, Lacewing Farms, Mountain Meadows Farm, So. Knox Food Co-op Neighborhood Inc., Spring Creek Farm, Terraced Gardens Farm and others. Several of the participating farms accept SNAP/EBT benefits for their CSA programs.

Access to healthy foods was one of the health priorities outlined in KCHD has focused on access to health foods since its Community Health Assessment in 2014. KCHD says eating more fruits and vegetables helps with weight management and lowers the risk of developing many chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and others. KCHD hopes to improve the health of those living and working in Knox County and the region, in part, by increasing access to healthy, affordable foods.