There are limited options in Middle TN when looking for a great way to go local with your food…read moreshopping. I have been a CSA Member with Avalon Acres for 2.5 years now, and we have been very impressed with the variety, selection and most importantly, the quality of the food and the service. The summer CSA program which runs for about 6 months, provides a weekly bevy of fresh produce as a standard share, with the options of adding meat, eggs, baked goods, pastas, canned items, honey as you like. The produce is seasonal, of course, and you will see a rainbow of vegetables each week and throughout the season. It is a weekly surprise which broadens the meal planning horizons in our house. Some notable new vegetables we had the opportunity to try last summer- garlic scapes, icicle radishes, zebra tomatoes, rainbow swiss chard and more unusual and delicious greens than I can name. The meat options are chicken, beef and pork of all cuts, and while more expensive than your neighborhood grocery store, the taste and nutrition quality is superb because of the free range, pasture fed practices. The Winter CSA program provides a twice monthly delivery of winter produce- sweet potatoes, winter squashes, pumpkins- as well as canned, frozen produce from the previous season. Handmade pastas, jams, pickles and other goods round out the harvest package. You can also still get meat and eggs in the same variety as the summer program. Having the opportunity to meet Tim and Jennifer Bodnar, the proprietors of the Avalon Acres family of farmers was a great experience as well. They are passionate about healthy, quality food practices and really helping to support the farmers of middle TN by getting their goods to eager consumers. The farm blog and recipe blog offer ways to prepare the goods each week, and participants can offer their new creations as well. They host a day on the farm, near the end of the season, for a chance to meet farmers, see the animals, and learn and appreciate where your food is really coming from. We will continue to sign up every season.

If you live in Nashville, and like to make your own food, you have no excuse not to join…read more I've been using Avalon Acres for 3 years now. The reason I like it is because it allows me to get a variety of fresh produce, eggs and meats on a weekly basis for a great price without having to schlep all the way to the Farmer's Market. As I like to cook, it also provides a challenge as you never know what you are going to get in your box. I always get excited when I get the box home and open it up - waiting to see what cool fruits and veggies I get and what I should do with them. Of course, it can be a drawback too, as you may get some produce that you may have a challenge in using before the next week. One awesome piece of advice a friend gave me was to process the contents as soon as it is opened, freeze or can whatever you aren't going to use immediately in that week's recipes - making freezer space or getting a standalone freezer is a must. I also found using a CSA was very helpful when it came to making fresh baby food for our son when he was a peanut. They grow their veggies using sustainable practices and there is no middle-man, it comes straight from the farm to your house. They actually supply produce, meats and eggs to local high-end restaurants all over town. The eggs come from free-range chickens, they actually faced a big hit when the floods hit back in May 2010. Their meats primarily come from Amish producers, they are free of antibiotics, hormones and artificial ingredients in the production of their meat products. By supporting this CSA, you're helping to support 40 small family farms around TN. The people that run it are very nice and friendly; I strongly encourage you to make friends with the delivery driver. They will let you know the 'inside scoop' on what is new that week. Far too many people at my dropoff in Belle Meade are a bunch of rude, affluent yuppies who can't be bothered to speak to 'the help' when they make their pickups - stay on the cell phone the whole time and throw the drivers their money without even making eye contact... Every Friday they send out an email blast that lets you choose additional items that are seasonal specials, like canned goods, honey, preserves, meats and sausages. They also let you customize your package if you eschew certain foods like eggs or specific meat products. Also during the fall, you can opt in to get some amazing turkeys - some of the best turkeys I've ever made. The pricing is excellent and varied, for example, we get 1/4 bushel of assorted produce, dozen eggs, and a meat portion (could be ground beef, chicken thighs/legs, short ribs, whole chickens, steaks) for $34.50. Not bad! You also get a deal up front if you pay for the year in advance; but despite the way you pay, you are signing up to pick up every week, regardless of whether or not you will be in town. I once went to a tasting dinner where Alan Benton, the greatest producer of quality bacon, once told everyone that all of the pigs that he sourced roamed free and ate great-quality feed; not because he gave a damn about the pigs, but treating livestock well resulted in a higher-quality product. That sums up my feelings on Avalon Acres.

I really enjoyed stopping by the Agricultural Center at the Farmers Market in Memphis. The variety…read moreof fresh produce and local products was really impressive. Everything felt super fresh, and the prices was pretty fair too. I picked up some homemade jam and a couple bundles of collards that was way fresher than what I usually find at the grocery store. The folks working there was friendly and seemed happy to answer questions. I do wish there were a few more shaded areas to sit and enjoy a snack or something, but over all it was a great experience. You can really tell they care about supporting local farmers and the community. I'll def be coming back again soon!

I love this Farmer's Market. The people are so helpful and friendly. The produce is beautiful and…read moredelicious. They have a variety of things, from fresh produce, baked goods and homemade soaps.