Franklin Farmers Market

2010 marks the 9th season of the Franklin Farmers Market. When the market first opened, there were only 8 farmers participating and it was only open Saturdays during the summer season. There are now over 70 family farms from Middle Tennessee that are part of the market. The market is open year-round and because of the rising customer demand for fresh food from local farms, there are now two market days each week through the summer season. The Franklin Farmers Market is a non-profit agricultural organization that works to keep Tennessee’s beautiful farmlands green and growing. The market brings farmers and consumers together and will continue to do so because of what it is: a true farmers market with three goals. Our first goal is to keep local family farms productive and profitable by providing a reliable venue for farmers to sell what they grow or produce. Making a profit can be the difference between keeping the farm or selling off the land for housing or commercial developments. Our second goal is to give the public easy access to healthy, locally grown fresh food. All vegetables and fruits; meats, dairy and herbs come from Middle Tennessee farms to the market. Much of the produce in grocery stores has traveled an average of 1,500 miles before it gets on the store shelves. It’s normal for it to be picked before it ripens on the vine, in order to keep it from bruising and rotting on its cross country trip. By the time it’s been picked, packed and trucked in to a grocery, it’s less than fresh and its nutritional value has decreased. Fresher food means more vitamins and minerals for you and your family and food from local farms is just about as fresh as you can get. Our third goal is to educate about the postive impact that farming has on the local economy, the aesthetic values of communities and the environment.