Farmers Market News
“Cooking demonstrations at the Union County Farmers Market? Really? I didn’t know that!” So often, those words can be heard at the market when, every Saturday throughout the market season, there are cooking demonstrations! The market is there to provide everyone with fresh, locally produced farm products but also wants to be sure that everyone knows how to use the variety of produce available every Saturday.

Fresh produce abounds, especially this time of the year. People often have a favorite recipe that they have used for years but sometimes they are looking for a fresh and new way to use all those tomatoes, zucchini and other abundant produce. Our farmers grow produce that may be new and unusual to many. There are Asian greens like Tatsoi, kohlrabi, fennel, eggplant, and more. We often reach for a jar of herbs like basil, oregano, or granulated garlic on the grocery shelf but do not know how to use the fresh herbs and garlic that are available at the market. Demonstration chefs to the rescue!

Life and lifestyles have changed over the years. Life seems to move at a faster pace these days and many people today no longer cook at home and often, they don’t know how to. They are busy working, driving children to a variety of activities, or only cooking for one. Both the health benefits, and the financial savings, abound for those that cook at home and our demonstration chefs are there to help you expand your knowledge of cooking with farm fresh products. Sometimes a cooking technique might be demonstrated, or a new piece of equipment you may be considering purchasing may be demonstrated but, every time, our demonstration chefs will show you how easy it is to use all those farm fresh products.

To date, demonstrations have been conducted by chefs from the 4H Senior Grill Team, Running Buck Farm, Southern Sour, The Bake Shop, Tindells Farmhouse Bakery, and TK’s Gourmet Food Truck. The Union County High School Culinary Arts teacher, Sarah Johnson, will be joining us on the 3rd Saturday of August and September and we’re looking forward to a demonstration regarding the use of rubs and herbs for seasoning by House Mountain Bounty.

You can also find tastes of the market at various vendors booths at the market. The UT Extension Farm Market Fresh booth encourages healthy eating and provides simple, easy to follow, healthy recipes – and a sample – each week. Of course, Extension is there to provide education and help you learn to select, safely store and prepare fresh produce. Educational aides, including nutrient charts, produce seasons and more are always available. For more information, feel free to contact the UT Extension, Union County office at 865-992-8038 or stop by our new office at the corner of Maynardville Hwy and Hickory Star Rd. Everyone at the Union County Farmers Market is looking forward to seeing you “where our community meets” and a fun shopping experience with demonstrations awaits.