Residents Encouraged To Buy Local Fruits and Vegetables
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Whether it was the soulful music, the sweet corn or the smiling faces that drew residents into the West Tennessee Farmer’s Market, everyone found something familiar at the 25th anniversary tour of Pick Tennessee Products. “The energy is captivating,” said Tammy Algood of Pick Tennessee Products. “And what it does is it instills pride in your local community, and you truly get to talk to the person who has raised, grown or processed the product that you’re buying.” The campaign, started in 1986, supports the local economy while educating residents on the fresh products available in their own backyard. “We give a local voice to local farmers and producers,” said Algood. “A lot of the problem that we’ve had, particularly with produce with people in urban areas, is that they don’t realize when a season is because they see strawberries on the market all year long.” Local farmer, Freddy Johnson of Johnson Farms, says while strawberries aren’t in season right now, he has plenty of other produce to offer. “We’ve got peaches, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, and sweet corn,” said Johnson. “You get the freshest stuff there is. When it starts coming in locally – you can’t get it any better than that!” And it’s all in a friendly, Tennessee atmosphere. “It’s just fun,” said Crystal Barham of Barham’s Farm. “The music, the people. Everybody’s friendly. Hospitality – nothin’ better than Southern.” The West Tennessee Farmer’s Market is open Tuesday through Saturday starting at 6 a.m.
