Agriculture

Tennessee Farmers Markets Create Community Around Local Foods

1 Comment By Jessica Mozo
May 16, 2022

Where is the happiest place in the world? If you ask Kasi Haire of Nolensville, she’ll tell you it’s local farmers markets.

“Farmers markets are one of the happiest and friendliest places on earth – you get fresh air and sunshine mixed with folks who are working in an industry they love,” says Haire, who manages the Nolensville Farmers Market in Middle Tennessee and serves as president of the Tennessee Association of Farmers Markets. “Meeting with neighbors, grabbing a cup of coffee, taking in all the sounds and colors … everything about farmers markets is pleasant. The customers become friends. It’s like Cheers, where everybody knows your name. What’s not to love?”

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Kasi Hire, right, manages the Nolensville Farmers Market, where you kind find all sorts of seasonal produce as well as other goodies like Kettle Classic popcorn. Photo credit: Nick Bumgardner

In 2014, Haire and her husband, Daniel, started the Nolensville Farmers Market with a group of friends and community members who recognized a need and desire to make fresh, local foods more accessible.

“The most unique thing about our farmers market is the dedication and support from our Nolensville community,” Haire says. “We also love the diversity in culture and cuisines we bring to our neighborhood.”

Fresh From the Farmers Markets

While every farmers market is different, shoppers can typically expect to find fruits, vegetables, microgreens, meats, fresh eggs, honey, baked goods, canned salsas and pickles, and sometimes handmade crafts. There are currently 159 farmers markets across Tennessee that are registered with the Pick Tennessee Products program.

“We know there are probably more out there, and we encourage any market that isn’t already listed to get listed on the Pick Tennessee Products website,” Haire says. “We also have a great farmers market association that provides resources, education and networking for markets and vendors.”

See more: Farm Facts: Farmers Markets

Tyler Campbell sells popcorn at the Nolensville Farmers Market. Photo credit: Nick Bumgardner

In Jackson, the popular West Tennessee Farmers Market is open five days a week year round. In addition to fresh produce and baked goods, it offers plants, fish, beef, lamb, milk, crafters and food trucks.

In East Tennessee, the Oak Ridge Farmers Market is the oldest continuously running farmers market in the state. The market is operated by a nonprofit agriculture marketing co-op called East Tennessee Farmers Association for Retail Marketing (FARM). East Tennessee FARM also operates farmers markets in Clinton and Knoxville.

See more: Delvin Farms Provides Fresh Veggies to Farmers Markets, CSA Members

Farmers Markets Makers

“We still have two vendors who are charter members of the Oak Ridge market – they were there in 1976 when the market first opened,” says Kathy Burke-Mihalczo, president of East Tennessee FARM and owner of Erin’s Meadow Herb Farm. “I’ve been there 33 years as a vendor, and we have many long-term farmers. Each year we add more vendors. Our farmers are the building blocks of our market, and then we also have specialty food vendors and artisan vendors.”

The Oak Ridge market operates on Saturdays at Historic Jackson Square, and shoppers can subscribe to a bimonthly email newsletter to discover which vendors will be at the market each week.

Photo credit: Oak Ridge Farmers Market

“Between our three markets, we have about 100 vendors,” Burke-Mihalczo says. “Among them, you’ll find organic granola and all sorts of mixes and food selections, including a brilliant gourmet pimento cheese that’s absolutely delicious. Several bakers sell breads, muffins, scones and cookies. We will have a hummus crafter new for 2022.”

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Artisan vendors create tie-dyed clothing in exquisite patterns and colors, aromatherapy and natural body care products such as soaps, lotions and lip balms, as well as pottery, wooden bowls, cutting boards and much more.

“Our amazing farmers produce an incredible variety of vegetables, including heirloom varieties you won’t find at grocery stores,” Burke-Mihalczo says. “When food is locally grown, you don’t have to be concerned about shipping time, so you get a wide assortment of vegetable varieties that come with incredible flavor and health benefits because they were just picked.”

The Pandemic Effect

The COVID-19 pandemic tested farmers markets in new ways with supply chain issues, mask mandates, social distancing and frequent disinfecting. Despite all the challenges, many markets experienced an increase in both vendors and customers.

Photo credit: Nick Bumgardner

“Markets saw an increase in vendors when a lost corporate job meant turning what used to be a hobby or side hustle into a way to make ends meet for the time being,” Haire says. “Markets saw more customers because shopping outside in open-air markets with space to socially distance felt safer, with less touch points on products from farm to market instead of from farm to distributor to grocery to stock person. The one thing that has held true is farmers and producers are resilient and able to pivot ideas and processes to make things work and continue to feed their communities.”

For more information about the markets mentioned in this story, visit nolensvillefarmersmarket.com, facebook.com/westtnfarmersmarket and easttnfarmmarkets.com. Find a farmers market near you at tnfarmersmarkets.org.