Cookeville Farmer’s Market Welcomes People from All Over

With spring knocking on Middle Tennessee’s door, the Cookeville Farmers’ Market welcomes farmers and consumers from all over.

Melinda Keifer coordinates Cookeville’s Economic Development.

“Our goal is that it grows. Now our market is free,” Keifer said. “You just have to have a permit. About a fourth of our vendors are from out of the county.”

The Cookeville Farmer’s Market only allows local produce to be sold with a permit awarded from the city. Keifer said regulating the product proved to be difficult.

“You can not go to the grocery store and buy a case of tomatoes and bring them down here and sell them as locally grown produce,” Keifer said. “So that really as much as anything was the most difficult part.”

Keifer said the Farmers’ Market values local farmers and the farm to table process. Local families participate in the process as well as larger farms.

“One of the greatest things that could happen with these farmers markets is that young families will plant just cucumbers with their kids,” Keifer said. “They will eat what they want, pickle what they need, and then they will take those children to the farmers’ market. They’ll have a little permit and actually go through that whole process, from farmer to table to consumer. ”

Tennessee has set up resources for consumers and farmers to educate themselves on local produce and eating fresh.

Last year the Cookeville Farmers Market partnered with the UT Extension to bring the Farmers’ Market Fresh program to Cookeville. This program allows students to explore local producers and learn to prepare fresh food as well.

Keifer said she encourages people to go to the Pick TN Products page online for new ideas and recipes.

“If you’ve got that squash or a particular type of bean you haven’t done before, go there,” Keifer said. “There are recipes on how you can do all of that, there is tons of information out there. ”

To obtain a vendor permit call City Hall at (931) 526-9591.

The Cookeville Farmers’ Market is open from 6 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit the Cookeville Farmer’s Market Facebook page.