Written by: Kirby Stanton, RDN, LDN Food City Registered Dietitian

When focusing on maintaining or improving health one of the top recommendations is to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.  Fresh produce typically makes us think of top quality and enjoying at peak of season. Aiming to consume locally sourced produce is a great way to enjoy more seasonal fruits and vegetables and support the local economy. Food City has reimagined the classic farmers market model and partnered to bring local goods directly to stores.

Locally grown fruits and vegetables are picked at peak ripeness and delivered directly to stores, in many instances within days of being picked. Eating food that is grown closer to home also helps to bolster the local economy by stimulating local employment opportunities and investing money back into local communities.

Be sure to look for produce from the following Local Growers when visiting the produce department at Food City:
Berrier Farms in Cana, Virginia specializes in Red/Gold Delicious, Ginger Golds, Gala, Pink Lady and Granny Smith Apples.

Cameron Farms in Rutledge, Tennessee specializes in Homegrown Grainger County Tomatoes, in addition to squash, zucchini, bell peppers, and pickling cucumbers.

Randy Turley Farms in Rutledge, Tennessee is a third-generation farming operation. Randy Turley has taken over what his grandfather started years ago as a pioneer of Grainger County Tomatoes in the late 1950s. The quality and superiority have been carried on for 60 years and are still shown with Randy & Sherry Turley’s tomatoes today.

Mann Farms of Fort Blackmore, Virginia produces peppers, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, and a standout favorite, strawberries.

Snake Creek Farms in Carroll County, Virgnia grow cabbage, along with crops of pumpkins, mini-pumpkins, kale, collards, turnip greens, cucumbers, and gourds.

Stratton Tomato Farms in Rutledge, Tennessee specializes in several different varieties of tomatoes, along with cucumbers, squash, peppers, and beans that are delivered from field to store.
Coning Farms in Maryville, TN offers tomatoes, cantaloupes, pumpkins, corn, watermelon, and squash.

Slaughter Farms in Sullivan County, Tennesee  grows strawberries, green beans, vine-ripe tomatoes, yellow squash, zucchini squash, and peppers. Tony Slaughter is a first-generation farmer who says his goal is to supply top quality products as quickly as possible to the stores so that families can enjoy “straight from the garden” flavor.


Try this recipe to feature local produce all summer long.