Knoxville’s Farmers’ Markets: From Farm to Table

5

farmtotable

Farmers’ markets. I just love them. They make me happy, they remind me of my childhood days shopping for produce with my mom at Rome’s open-air markets, and they make my kitchen bright with beautifully rich seasonal colors. And thanks to the diverse produce finds, my cooking varies greatly too when the farmers’ market is open. The coolest part though is being able to teach my children about where our food comes from, and the ways in which we can contribute to healthy and responsible eating and shopping.

When I found out we were moving to Knoxville, one of the first things I looked into was whether this great city of ours hosted local farmers and I was so, so happy to see that there were several I could shop during the months of mid-April through November.

market_vegetables_food_215934Look at those colors! Aren’t they just beautiful?

My favorite, and the one we visit most frequently, is the Market Square Farmers’ Market. It’s fun to wander around downtown on a Saturday morning, checking out the fresh East Tennessee regional produce and handmade crafts, enjoying food truck yumminess, and letting the kids explore Krutch Park. My little ones love to splash around in the Market Square fountain too. It’s pure bliss for them and their happiness puts smiles on our faces.

Here’s the 411 on some farmers’ markets in and around Knoxville {updated for 2015}:

Market Square Farmers’ Market

Wednesdays from 11am to 2pm and Saturdays from 9am to 2pm in Market Square

Duration: May 2 through November 21

East Tennessee Farmers Association for Retail Marketing Farmers’ Markets (3 locations)

Tuesdays from 3-6pm at Ebenezer United Methodist Church; Wednesdays from 3-6pm and Saturdays from 8am to noon in Oak Ridge at the Historic Jackson Square; and Fridays from 3-6pm at Lakeshore Park

Duration: mid-April through late November

UT Farmers Market

Wednesdays from 4-7pm at the UT Gardens on Neyland Drive

Duration: May 13 through October 21

New Harvest Park Farmers Market

Thursdays from 3 to 6pm at 4700 New Harvest Park Lane

Duration: April 9 through November (exact date not given)

Dixie Lee Farmers Market

Saturdays from 9am to noon at 12740 Kingston Pike

Duration: May 2 through October 31

Lenoir City Farmers’ Market

Saturdays from 9am to noon on the sidewalks along the South side of Broadway (between the First National Bank Gazebo and Roane State)

Duration: July only

Maryville Farmers’ Market

Wednesdays from 3:30-6:30pm (or until sellout) at the New Providence Presbyterian Church and Saturdays from 9am to noon (or until sellout) on Church Avenue, near the CBBC Bank

Duration: June through August

Do you enjoy going to a farmers’ market? Which is your favorite? And please let us know if we should add some to the list!

 

Previous articleSummer Bucket Lists
Next articleCelebration of Knoxville Moms Blog’s Six Month Anniversary! {Giveaway}
Francesca
In March 2011 my life changed in the most dramatic and wonderful way possible: I became a mom to my vivacious, inquisitive, sweet, fun-loving, exuberant little man. A week after my son’s birth, my husband received a job offer we could not refuse from the University of Tennessee. And so, in July 2011, we said goodbye to the life we’d created in the coastal paradise of Santa Barbara, California, and began carving out a new bit of paradise for ourselves in Knoxville. In March 2013, just over two years after the birth of our son, we welcomed our beautiful and equally amazing daughter. Together with my loving and supportive husband, my children have taught me to slow down and enjoy the moments life gives us. It is with them and thanks to them, that I feel truly happy and at peace.

5 COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here