Farmers Markets to open this weekend in Knoxville, Oak Ridge

The longest continuous operating farmers markets in East Tennessee will open for the season on Friday, April 11, in Knoxville, and Saturday, April 12, in Oak Ridge. The second Knoxville market location will open on Wednesday, April 16. 

“After a long winter, it’s always a welcome sign of spring when the farmers markets open and we see the first of the spring harvest coming in,” said Steve Colvin, president of the East Tennessee Farmers Association for Retail Marketing, or FARM. “We’re hoping the final cold snaps won’t take too much of a toll on the early crops.”

FARM operates markets on Fridays from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Laurel Church of Christ, 3457 Kingston Pike at Cherokee Boulevard. On Wednesdays, the FARM Market operates at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 1001 Ebenezer Road near Westland Avenue. The Saturday market is held from 8 a.m. until noon in the parking lot adjacent to historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge.

“In June, we will be moving the Laurel market just a couple miles west to the campus of Lakeshore Park,” Colvin said. “We have been working with the city of Knoxville to make this move and envision an early June start in the new location. We will working to make sure customers know when the move takes place.”

Early spring produce typically includes lettuce, broccoli, garlic, carrots, onions, radishes, alfalfa sprouts, and asparagus. Farm fresh eggs are expected from a few farmers at the market.

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.

Established in 1976, FARM markets run from mid April through late November. For more information visit online at www.easttnfarmmarkets.org.