Taste of Tennessee: 6 Places With a Focus on Locally Sourced Food
Sponsored by: Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee
Tennessee is more than music. The state is cultivating a vibrant culinary scene and establishing itself as a foodie destination. The contemporary local food movement in the United States gained momentum in the 1980s and, as a result, over the last many years, there has been a marginal increase in the demand for locally sourced food and ingredients from nearby farms to provide the best quality ingredients all while supporting sustainability, the local economy and area farmers and growers. Tennessee residents and producers have capitalized on the trend toward farm-fresh food, and it’s a place full of some unexpected foodie cities.
From bustling farmers markets brimming with seasonal produce to innovative farm-to-table restaurants dishing up foodie favorites, communities across the Volunteer State are championing residents’ ability to easily access a taste of Tennessee. The foundation for flavor across the state is strengthened by several programs designed to connect consumers directly to local agriculture. Tennessee Local Food works to build a regional food network through education, resources and connections across the state. There are a variety of Farm to School programs throughout the state, which include initiatives that aim to bring schools closer to local agriculture by purchasing local foods directly from area farmers, integrating food-related education into classroom curriculum, and providing hands-on learning activities like school gardening, farm visits and culinary classes. Finally, Pick Tennessee Products – a program by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) – connects consumers with locally grown or made agricultural products and farm-related activities. From honey to handcrafted products and peaches to pumpkin patches, Pick Tennessee Products makes it easy to find locally grown products right outside your door.
Several communities throughout the state have made fresh, farm-to-table food a way of life. These six spots highlight the growing movement of locally sourced food and are just a taste of what Tennessee’s food scene has to offer.
In This Article
Martin, TN
Martin is a family-friendly place with the youthful spirit of a college town. With a diverse population of people of all ages, Martin has become an unexpected hub for locally sourced food in the heart of West Tennessee. It’s home to the University of Tennessee at Martin, known for its stellar agricultural sciences program, which cultivates the next generation of farmers, researchers and food industry professionals who contribute directly to the region’s food landscape.
The Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network (LFN) is a nonprofit organization that focuses on building a stronger, more sustainable local food system, utilizing locally grown and produced foods to promote healthy people, communities and economies in the greater Martin area. LFN works to make Northwest Tennessee farmers markets a destination for producers and visitors alike and works to provide support for growing farming businesses and local food entrepreneurs. LFN also supports the Farm to School Initiative by connecting students and schools with local farms, with the goals of improving students’ nutrition and academic outcomes, strengthening local food systems and protecting the environment.
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Seasonally sourced food is a way of life in Martin, and there are plenty of ways to make a meal out of Martin all year long. From May to October, the Martin Farmers Market is open to local vendors who grow, raise, harvest and craft their products, all within a 50-mile radius of the actual market structure. Each fall, foodies rejoice at the annual Tennessee Soybean Festival, which has been a community mainstay for more than 30 years. In nearby Dresden, Holt Family Farms hosts legendary farm-to-table dinners and a variety of seasonal events and activities, offering visitors a family-friendly way to connect with the origins of their food. Martin Stockyards provides high-quality, locally sourced beef, pork and poultry products, as well as farm-fresh eggs, honey and other artisanal products.
The Greater Nashville Area
Nashville and its surrounding areas have established the city as a hub for locally sourced food, blending culinary innovation with an appreciation for regional agriculture. There are plenty of farm-to-table restaurants and nearly two dozen farmers markets in Davidson County, meaning there is an option for farm-fresh food every day of the week. The Nashville Farmers’ Market, arguably the largest market in the area, is one of the oldest continuously operating markets in the state. The facility features two covered open-air sheds, a 27,000-square-foot garden center, an incubation center and an international food hall with more than 25 restaurants and shops. The culinary scene is anchored by spots like The Treehouse, The Farm House and MEEL. Meel is located inside Nashville International Airport so that you can enjoy fresh food even on the go.
The city not only serves up delicious food but also has several local organizations that work to address the root cause of food insecurity. The Nashville Food Project is an important part of the local landscape, working to alleviate hunger, create community and provide access to nutritious food. A cornerstone of the project is recovering food from local businesses, such as grocers, farmers, markets and restaurants, that would otherwise be wasted and distributing it to more than 45 different community partners. The Nashville Food Project also offers two community gardens and Growing Together, a market garden program that helps farmers who are interested in growing produce to sell. Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee supports local people and producers through its Farm to Families program, which connects local farmers with partner agencies to provide fresh, nutritious food to area families in need. In addition to a popular CSA program, Old School Farm utilizes therapeutic farming practices to support vulnerable populations. During peak harvest seasons, they offer produce to One Gen Away and provide a weekly delivery of a van full of fresh vegetables, flowers, berries and other produce to The Store. The Store is a food assistance agency that serves customers with dignity by allowing them to “shop” for their food and produce in a grocery store setting, serving more than 1,000 households annually.
Cookeville, TN, Area
Located amidst fertile agricultural land, Cookeville, TN, and the surrounding areas are an example of how communities come together and are committed to locally sourced food. This region highlights the direct link between its abundance of farms and the plates of residents, emphasizing the important role that farmers markets play as a hub for fresh produce and high-quality local meats. There are a handful of markets in Cookeville, including the Cookeville Green Market, Walnut Street Market and the Cookeville Farmer’s Market, a producers-only market open seven days a week. A growing number of farm-to-table restaurants in the area includes The Putnam Room and The Barn at Chestnut Oaks, located in nearby Sparta. For more local food fun in the area, don’t miss the Allardt Great Pumpkin Festival and Weigh-off, held annually the first weekend of October.
Beyond direct market access and delicious dining options, Cookeville residents can take advantage of the area’s culinary initiatives, which aim to empower producers and shape the local food landscape. The Cookeville Food Forest and Foraging Path is a community-focused project that aims to create a public, edible ecosystem by growing a food forest to benefit the community. And Putnam County’s youngest residents stay well-fed thanks to Food to the Rescue, a nonprofit delivering meals to local children during school breaks.
Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga has quickly established itself as a foodie destination, gaining a reputation as a dynamic city with a thriving culinary scene. Restaurants across the city showcase the region’s locally sourced produce and meats and transform fresh ingredients into delectable dishes. Dozens of local spots serve up seasonal specialties, including Feed Tavern & Table, Main Street Meats and STIR. The Chattanooga Market is the region’s largest producer-only marketplace, and the weekly public markets feature a variety of produce, meats, cheeses, artisan products and farm-fresh goods from more than 50 farms and 130 different artisans.
The Volunteer spirit extends to Chattanooga residents through the city’s various community initiatives. The Chattanooga Area Food Bank provides emergency food assistance, distributes sack packs for children and collaborates with several community partners to address food insecurity. The Chattanooga Food Center strives to create a food system that offers affordable and convenient access to healthy food, bridging the gap between producers and consumers. Through the center’s Gaining Ground Grocery project, customers have access to local and sustainable produce, meat, eggs and dairy products. Several local farmers work to connect their farm-fresh food to the community. Crabtree Farms prioritizes sustainable agriculture and focuses on educational programs and community outreach to address food access disparities in the area. Crabtree Farms offers a variety of educational workshops, farm visits and events.
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Knoxville, TN
Someone once said that corn won’t grow at all on Rocky Top, the dirt’s too rocky by far, but that old adage doesn’t ring true today – except maybe during football season! Knoxville has transformed itself into a place for those seeking farm-fresh flavors and prioritizing community connections. The heart of the locally sourced food movement is supported by Nourish Knoxville, a nonprofit aimed at strengthening the direct relationships between local farmers and producers and the public and enhancing farmers market access through its various programs. The Market Square Farmers Market, one of four managed by Nourish, is a downtown staple where everything is grown, raised and produced by vendors within a 150-mile radius of Knoxville. The strong market foundation is complemented by the growing number of farm-to-table restaurants across the city and the increasing number of organizations offering educational opportunities to residents.
Knoxville has a dedicated Department of Sustainability that works to relieve barriers of entry for local producers and promote sustainable farming practices. The Knoxville Urban Agriculture Initiative works to expand and standardize urban farming practices. It also provides a map of local food producers, such as Beardsley Community Farm and Three Rivers Market, a community food co-op. Organizations like Food Donation Connection, which is headquartered in Knoxville, assist food service companies by developing and implementing Harvest Programs that reduce food waste.
Speaking of food production, the University of Tennessee is home to the state’s only food science program and has several partnerships across campus, including one with Vol Dining that aims to make sure that beef served within the dining halls across campus and Big Orange Grill come directly from the university’s farms. The program also recently opened Orange Acres Cafe, a self-branded dining concept on the ag campus. But the penchant for locally sourced food extends well beyond campus. Several restaurants in Knoxville are practicing hyper-local food production. Cruze Farm is a favorite spot serving up freshly churned ice cream from their local dairy farm. Other favorite area restaurants include The Plaid Apron, Farm to Feast, knox farmacy, The Drawing Room and Harvest, Land, Vine and Sea.
Johnson City, TN, and the Tri-Cities Area
A commitment to locally sourced and produced food extends to the furthest corners of East Tennessee in Johnson City and the greater Tri-Cities area. This area has quickly become an unexpected leader in supporting local farmers and food systems, providing numerous resources for farmers to succeed. The Appalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council (ARCD) is one of these organizations, working to connect current (or aspiring!) farmers, gardeners and entrepreneurs with resources like training, financing, land and markets while preserving farmland and promoting access to nutritious locally grown foods. They offer several programs to support new and established farmers, including the Field School, a training program for beginning farmers, and Build It Up East TN (BIU), which provides gardening education and has helped install over 200 new gardens in East Tennessee since 2012. ARCD also works directly with community members through the Appalachian Farmacy. This free healthy eating initiative supports SNAP recipients by giving them “prescriptions” to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from Washington County Farmers Markets.
Speaking of farmers markets, the area is home to the Johnson City Farmers Market and two in Jonesborough – the Jonesborough Farmers Market and Boone Street Market – managed by Jonesborough Locally Grown, a nonprofit that connects farmers to the community. The number of local CSAs in the area has grown in recent years, and Pick Tennessee Products provides a directory of area CSAs so residents can have direct access to farm-fresh produce and meats that can be prepared in the comfort of their own homes. River Creek Farm provides door-to-door delivery to several cities in the Tri-Cities area. But that doesn’t mean residents can’t enjoy a dining-out experience. The Kitchen at Grace Meadows Farm, Juniper and Gourmet and Company Restaurant and Retail all provide delicious farm-to-table dining experiences that focus on seasonal, locally sourced produce.
