By Helina Bailey

Saturday, March 18th, the Union County Farmers Market had their welcome back pop-up farmers market to kick start spring and get locals ready for summer goodies. We are still a few months away from enjoying freshly picked local produce, and with these cold snaps, it’s hard to imagine that summer will ever appear, but it’s around the corner. With a spring that feels very much like winter, the Union County Farmer’s Market brought a little heat and excitement.

The new commercial kitchen, called the Market Café, had its soft opening. Locals were treated to a delicious hearty breakfast of biscuits and gravy along with fried chicken sandwiches and sweet potato fries for lunch. A variety of food trucks are signed up for the farmers market season, so customers who got a bite from the Market Café might be the only locals to enjoy it as it has yet to be decided if it will be open during the season.

In addition to the amazing meals that were available, the farmers market hosted local small farmers, bakers, artisans, and young entrepreneurs. Despite it being early in the season, there was an abundance of items and edible delicacies to choose from. Seven Springs Farm to Table had local beef, milk, cheese, and salad mixes. G&G Farms had a large spread of hand sewn gifts and wood burnt crafts along with their famous pickles, jams, bbq sauces, dry rubs, and eggs. Beth Bergeron of the UT Extension office had green onions, garlic, and handmade pottery.

The farmers market also had some fresh faces. Bonnie Las Flowers Farms had tulips and seasonal wreaths. Tiffany Warne of Custom Glass Art had vanilla and mint extracts along with an abundance of other hand-crafted goodies. Tiffany Warne is a jack of all trades, producing hand sewn leather bags, leather key chains, custom wood burning, homemade soaps, and much more!

Last but not least, was a young local entrepreneur with her slime products. Miss Lauviah of Queen Bee’s Slime had a large display of one-of-a-kind slimes in a variety of sizes, colors, and textures, with the option of add ins. The farmer’s market waives vendor fees for children to help encourage entrepreneurial pursuits in the community.

The Farmer’s Market season will be here before we know it! Opening day is just over a month away. Be sure to catch all of these local vendors in May, alongside all of our local farmers. For more information on the Union County Farmer’s Market or the online farmers market, visit their webpage at https://www.unioncofarmersmarket.com/ or follow them on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UnionCountyFarmersMarket/