MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer
Posted: Sunday, June 14, 2009 6:59 am

Brianna Akins, 11, Justin Brewer, 7, and Michael Akins, 10, helped their grandfather Bob Elliott sell homegrown produce at the Rutherford County Farmers’ Market on Friday. TMP/Michelle Willard

People in search of fresh veggies have a new destination in Rutherford County now that the Farmers’ Market has moved into its new home at Lane Agri-Park.

Both vendors and customers alike are pleased with the new indoor facility in the Lane Agri-Park Community Center, which replaces the shed at Cannonsburg.

“To me its like moving into a new house,” vendor Robbie Lynn explained.

“You have to adjust to it, but you want something better and this is better,” she continued.

Lynn, who’s been a Farmers’ Market vendor for five years, said the new building is cleaner and nicer than the old shed.

“And the bathrooms are terrific,” she said enthusiastically.

UT/TSU Agricultural Extension Service Rutherford County Director Dewayne Trail said the new building is better for everyone, because vendors are now indoor and away from the weather.

“On the hot days they won’t have to be out in the glaring sun or out in the rain when we have bad weather,” he said.

Lynn also looks forward to spending her Tuesday and Friday mornings indoors.

“We don’t have to be out in the rain so much,” she said.

Trail expects the new digs to attract more sellers and more selection for customers.

“Our vendors are aware, of course, that in the new facility we have ample space to set up inside where they could not do that at the old site, and that is attracting vendors we did not have before,” he said.

He also said customers can look forward to more parking in a paved lot.

Long-time Farmers’ Market customer Melanie Williams said she loves the new building.

“I think it’s awesome …” she said. “It’ll be great even on rainy days.”

Williams bought cucumbers and squash from the farmers Friday morning.

“It’s always exciting to see customers come in looking for fresh produce and buy those first items of the season,” Trail said.

“We really should have lots of cool season vegetables ready and within a couple of weeks we should have a number of the warm season vegetables ready considering the growing conditions we’ve had,” he said.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.

More info …
Rutherford County Farmers’ Market
Open from 6-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays through October
At Lane Agri-Park Community Center, 315 John R. Rice Blvd.