Farmer’s Market starts Saturday in Oak Ridge, opens new Knoxville location

When the farmer’s market season begins this month, there will be another location for shoppers to find locally grown produce. The East Tennessee Association for Retail Marketing, or FARM, will operate two market locations in Knoxville this year, as well as continuing the Oak Ridge market.

FARM will launch this season on Friday, April 12, at 3 p.m. at the Laurel Church of Christ at 3457 Kingston Pike, across from Cherokee Boulevard. The Oak Ridge market will open Saturday, April 13, at 8 a.m., across from historic Jackson Square. On Tuesday, April 16, the new Knoxville location will open at 3 p.m. at Ebenezer United Methodist Church at 1001 Ebenezer Road.

“We are adding a west Knoxville location at Ebenezer and Westland Drive on Tuesdays,” said FARM President Kellye Wilson. “The market will officially open on Tuesday, April 16, at 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Ebenezer United Methodist Church.”

Previously, the Tuesday market operated at the Laurel Church of Christ on Kingston Pike.

“We will continue to operate the Friday farmers market at the Laurel location,” Wilson said. “We opted to move the Tuesday market since there are now mid-week markets downtown and on the University of Tennessee campus. The new location will spread the markets across the community for better access to locally grown products.”

Early produce usually includes lettuce, broccoli, garlic, carrots, onions, radishes, alfalfa sprouts, and asparagus. Farm-fresh eggs are expected from a few farmers at the market, and there may be a limited supply of local honey from the 2012 season.

Growers are also expected to offer a variety of plants for home gardening and landscaping. Fresh-baked goods such as artisan breads, granola, muffins, cookies, and scones will also be available from local bakers.

FARM operates the longest continuous-running farmers markets in Knoxville and Oak Ridge. Established in 1976, markets run from mid April through late November. Updated product listings and market hours are posted on the FARM blog through the website at www.easttnfarmmarkets.org.