NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Although Nashville is the city of country music, there is another well-established country tradition: The year-round Nashville Farmers’ Market. This market is not only home to fresh produce, but is also a place where shoppers can find flea market items.

What is better in the middle of winter than finding fresh produce?

For those who like to go picking year-round, the Farmers’ Market Flea Market is open throughout the year on Fridays through Sundays. Home to more than 50 merchants, vendors sell everything from handcrafted pottery and jewelry to home goods. Visitors may stop and dine while shopping and enjoy a bit of entertainment as well – such as “The Kamikaze Chef,” Colleen Egan, coming to the market Jan. 28.

Classes are offered and the market is a place where the community gathers for events. It’s also where locals and visitors can buy locally and support the Nashville and surrounding area’s small businesses. In today’s economy this is a true boon for farmers and small business owners.

The market is divided into three distinct areas. The “Farm Side” consists of two large covered sheds and a there is a middle market area home to anywhere from five to 100 farmers, artisans, craftspeople and merchants. All year, one will find ranchers, bakers, prepared foods, soaps, milk, cheese and more.

For our farmers and produce merchants, the busiest season is growing season, approximately June-November each year. Beginning in April one will find flowers, early spring produce that gradually develops into “peak season,” when the largest variety of locally-grown foods runs to November. This closes out produce with the last of late harvest, and early introduction of holiday trees and plants.

Seven days a week, 362 days per year, visitors can purchase produce, jams, honey, canned goods and more from five locally owned and operated businesses that have been at the farmers’ market for generations.

The Market House is comprised of eight restaurants, a cafe, the Louisiana Seafood Co. (Friday-Sunday), International Market, Howell’s Farm Store and many day-merchants.

The history of the farmers’ market goes back to the early 1800s. The market was located in the city square at the City Hall and Market House. Over the years, it has changed places; however, the market has had a permanent location since the mid-1950s just north of downtown on Jefferson Street.

“In 1995, the Farmers’ Market was renovated as part of the Bicentennial State Park Mall development,” shares its website.

“The Market now stretches from Harrison to Jackson Streets on Rosa L. Parks Blvd. and covers 16 acres of urban land.”

Like many other Nashville locations, in 2010, the Nashville Farmers’ Market was severely hurt during the May flood. Because of the devastation, although the exterior areas were open a week later, Market House restaurants and shops remained closed for almost four months. The Market held a Re-Grand Opening Celebration in August 2010; however, the website notes, “restoration continues.”

The Nashville Farmers’ Market is located at 900 Rosa Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208. For regular Market business there is no entrance fee and parking is free. Call 615-880-2001 or log onto http://nashvillefarmersmarket.org for more information.