Spring's arrival means a fresh start on those earlier New Year's resolutions to start eating healthier, living greener, and becoming more involved in your community. The farmers and vendors of Knoxville's Market Square Farmers’ Market are ready to help by inviting you to join them for "Fresh Start," a celebration of the fifth anniversary of the popular market on Saturday, April 26, in downtown Knoxville.
In addition to the market's regular local farmers and craftspeople, "Fresh Start" will also include information booths and displays from local environmentally conscious organizations in celebration of Earth Day. Participants include Knox County Air Quality Management, Beardsley Community Farm, the Knoxville Zoo, United Mountain Defense, Knox Trans, and the Regional Clean Air Coalition. Carpe Librum, a local bookstore, will have books for sell about the growing local food movement. At 10am, Knox County Public Library’s Children’s Reading Room will host story time for children attending the market, as well as sidewalk chalk, hula hoops, and other fun activities.
Also helping to kick off the new season is the addition of new vendors, including two notable new farm vendors at the market. West Wind Farm, located in Morgan County, is Tennessee's only certified organic meat farm. Knox County's own Locust Grove Farm, is Tennessee's only licensed sheep dairy, producing raw milk cheese. Both farms will be selling their products on Market Square during the 2008 season.
"Adding these two great farms to our regularly scheduled vendors allows us to continue to show how locally-produced food can improve your personal diet, the local economy, and the global environment at the same time," says Charlotte Tolley, director of the Market Square Farmers' Market.
The Fresh Start activities include free birthday cake by local bakery VG's Bakery and an opportunity to register to win gift baskets from market vendors and Market Square businesses. Fresh Start will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 26, at Market Square in downtown Knoxville. Free parking is available. Cake cutting and special presentations will be held at 11 a.m. New programs for 2008 including Veggie Valet, Market Money, To the Source Farm Tours and a composting initiative will also be announced.
The Knoxville Market Square Farmers' Market 2008 season begins on Saturday, April 26. The market will be open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Saturday, November 22. The market will also host Wednesday hours beginning April 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through November 19.
For more information about the Knoxville Farmers' Market, contact Charlotte Tolley at (865) 405-3135 or charlottetolley@hotmail.com, or visit the MSFM's new web site at www.marketsquarefarmersmarket.org.
The Market Square Farmers’ Market is a project of the Market Square District Association, a 501©4 non-profit organization. For more information about the MSDA and their activities, go to www.knoxvillemarketsquare.com. Support for the MSFM comes from Yee Haw Industries, TN Agricultural Enhancement Program, Knoxville Voice, WUOT 91.9FM, Metro Pulse, City People and CBID.