Written by:  Kirby Stanton RDN, LDN 

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 enjoyment while in season. Aiming to consume locally sourced produce is a great way to achieve this 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 the height of season and delivered directly to stores, in many instances the day they were picked. Food City purchases produce from several local farms, including those in Grainger, Blount, Hawkins, Unicoi, Jefferson, and Sullivan counties in Tennessee and Scott and Carroll counties in Virginia.  Here are a few spotlights on local producers you can find at Food City during growing season. 

Cameron Farms is a third-generation farm nestled in the Buffalo Community of Grainger, Tennessee. The farm was founded by the Cameron family more than 50 years ago and started by primarily producing tobacco. Today they use their seventy-acre farm to grow crops like Grainger County tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, yellow tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, green bell peppers, green beans, and pickling cucumbers.  

Coning Farms is nestled in Maryville, Tennessee. This family farm brings a passion for produce that you can taste in every bite of their freshly delivered crops.  Fresh picks like pumpkins, cantaloupes, corn, watermelon, and squash are delivered directly to Food City produce department during the summer months.

Mann Farms has deep roots with Appalachian agriculture, farming the land in Fort Blackmore, Virginia since 1842.  Food City has been a partner with the Mann Family for over twenty years and they deliver a standout favorite of the local grower’s season with their strawberries. One of the earliest crops available in store and certainly one of the sweetest.  Following spring strawberry crop Mann supplies peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes into the summer and early fall. 

Enjoy the full flavor of the summer season and find the freshest produce at Food City with local growers. Learn More about our local growers.