Farmers Market hosts cooking demo
PHOTOS BY ALISON JAMES Junior Barrett fills a bag of beans for Virgie Seay.
Casteel serves up a plate of fresh-grilled nibbles for visitors to the farmers market.
Anthony McKee brought his organic produce to the Franklin farmers market for the first time Friday. A Belgreen grower, McKee said he’s been planting about five years before he felt confident in a harvest plentiful to become a seller. He plans to set up at the market regularly this season.
Stacy Thorn and Kara Franks show off their jar of preserves.
Fresh-cut corn was just one of the vegetables event organized grilled and served up as samples at the market Friday. All produce on the grill was supplied by local growers.
Market manager Gary Stanford and nutrition education program agent assistant Annette Casteel prep and grill veggies to tempt market-goers Friday as part of the market’s Grand Opening cooking demo.
Although the Franklin County Farmer’s Market has been open for a few weeks, the market hosted a special event to serve as a grand opening Friday. From 9-11 a.m., shoppers were invited to come out to the market to sample grilled fresh vegetables like corn, squash and potatoes, served up by nutrition education program agent assistant Annette Casteel and market manager Gary Stanford, with assistance from Jim Casteel. Market-goers ambled through the covered pavilion, purchasing their fill of fresh beans, corn, tomatoes, cabbages, jellies and honey and more, while sampling the lightly seasoned grilled veggies.
Event organizers voiced pleasure at the great response to the special cooking demo.
Free cutting boards and reusable totes were also given away to shoppers, while supplies lasted.
