Nashville, TN – Unless you grow your own vegetables, the local farmers market is the best bet for just picked, fresh-as-possible produce. August is Tennessee’s peak month for produce, so there’s no better time to visit a local farmers market than right now. August 7th-13th is National Farmers Market Week.
Starting August 7th, fresh tips for picking and storing summer produce will be as close as your favorite social media platform. Check out #FarmersMarketWeek for expert advice, or use the hashtag #FarmersMarketWeek to post your own tips for success. The handy tips are also available at the Pick TN Products Facebook page here.
Here are a few classic tips
- Arrive early. Get a good look at everything that’s available to score the freshest and best quality produce. The pick of the day is often scooped up early by chefs and foodies. Plus, some produce doesn’t last long in a hot open air market.
- Come prepared. Bring a reusable bag with comfortable handles for easy transport. Bring cash and small bills. Not all farmers markets accept credit/debit cards and large bills may pose a challenge for making change.
- Talk to the farmers. Farmers love to tell people about their produce. Find out exactly how and where your food is grown, and how to store and prepare it. Ask what’s in season.
- Store purchases promptly and properly. Fresh food and plants are easily damaged and bruised. Proper storage goes a long way to keep produce at its best for as long as possible.
Find many more tips and seasonal recipes at www.picktnproducts.org. Also download the new Pick Tennessee eBook, “Southern in Season.” The free cookbook arranges recipes according to the season during which the ingredients can be found on Tennessee farms and at farmers markets. “Southern in Season” is available by searching Pick Tennessee at the Apple iBook store, and a link to the cookbook is on the Pick Tennessee Products home page.
Find local farmers markets with the Pick TN mobile app and at www.picktnproducts.org
