Go Green with Local Farmers Markets in Middle Tennessee

Farmers markets are an excellent way to go green and get fresh produce from local suppliers. Buying locally produced food helps the environment by reducing the amount of fuel needed to transport goods. Small suppliers often have more sustainable farming practices as well. Organic produce is popular at farmers markets and much cheaper than you could find it at your grocery store of choice. The produce found in grocery stores has often been bred for shelf life while the food grown on small farms that sell locally is grown more often for taste, plus it's fresher and therefore has more nutrients. All this in addition to helping build your local community economy.

One popular outdoor market in the area is the Franklin Farmers Market located at The Factory on the corner of corner of Franklin Road & Liberty Pike. Operating from May through October, the market is open every Saturday from 8 in the morning until 1 pm. You can find a large variety of locally produced goods including wool, honey, strawberries, and meat. (Some of the best strawberries I've ever tasted came from this market.) The sound of bluegrass accompanies you thanks to a live band performing every Saturday as well. This is a good choice for you if you live in Spring Hill or Columbia since it's not too far to travel. Having the location that it does means you can easily stop by after shopping in downtown Franklin or perusing the stores inside The Factory.

Some of the suppliers in Franklin include the Certified Organic Arugula Star Farms, sellers of spinach and arugula among other goods, Three Meadows Farm, which supplies beef and dairy, and Turnbull Creek Farm which you may know as half of Fresh Harvest LLC.

If you're a bit further north, or its too early or late for the Franklin market, check out the Nashville Farmers Market instead. This market is open year round as it's housed inside a building right near the Bicentennial Mall, on Rosa Parks Boulevard. You can stop by any day of the week, and the market opens at 8 in the morning and stays open til 6 in the evening. This particular market actually has its own podcast as well as a Twitter feed and Facebook page, so you can easily keep up with events and happenings. If you decide to pay them a visit, you can find everything from lamb and pork to nuts, pumpkins, and flowers. Chigger Ridge Ranch, Freedom Tree Farms, and Johnny Howells' Produce are among the merchants that regularly sell at the market.

Be sure to take an ice chest with you in case you decide to buy something you'll want to keep cool, such as meat or eggs. Another good idea is to bring a large reusable grocery bag along to help you carry everything.