Creating a farmer's market and co-op in Kingston Springs

A group of Kingston Springs residents that aims to join farmers and residents to create a local farmer’s market and food co-op needs community feedback and support.

“We want to get people together who want good, clean food at a fair cost,’’ said organizer Linda Bush.

An informational meeting and potluck will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, May 16 at the Cliff View Golf Course and Driving Range.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to bring a covered dish, preferably something locally grown. The food may be purchased at a store. Residents are asked to bring a reusable plate, fork and cloth napkin, rather than plastic or paper utensils.

The first meeting was held last month at Bush’s home and attended by a dozen people inspired to improve their health, reduce consumption, support local farmers and enjoy the beautiful food and produce grown in this abundant region.

Some of the foods of the feast included goat cheese from Bonnie Blue Farm, eggs from chickens raised in Kingston Springs, ostrich meat raised on Mt. Pleasant Road, Tennessee wine, a pear and gorgonzola savory cheesecake from Savory Secret and fresh pasta from Lazzaroli’s, both of Nashville.

Some of the foods came right from the growers and producers and some came from Whole Foods in Nashville.

Bush and fellow organizer Catherine Carter say their group envisions a few ways to make locally grown food available in Kingston Springs:

- Start a farmer’s market. Already a couple of downtown locations have offered the space.

- Find a location for a dry goods co-op and produce store.

- Convince farmers to make Kingston Springs, or South Cheatham, a drop-off point for their CSAs, also known as Community Supported Agriculture.

Community Supported Agriculture, growing in popularity in Tennessee and across the country, allows local farmers to contract with buyers to provide food such as vegetables, meat and fruit during a growing season.

The benefit to the consumer is a healthier diet of mostly organic and bio-diverse foods, in addition to preserving beautiful farm lands and supporting the local economy.

During a recent two-day planning meeting with the American Institute of Architects, many Kingston Springs residents in attendance expressed interest in supporting a local farmer’s and artist’s market downtown. This might be the first step toward that goal, organizers believe.

In Middle Tennessee, most CSA farmers have drop-off points in Nashville and Williamson County. Some farmers with land and business closer to Cheatham County make the weekly trek to the Franklin Farmer’s Market, a bit of a haul for anyone in South Cheatham who wants to buy locally and economically.

“With so much food coming from all over the world, a local connection is needed,’’ Bush said.

Directions to the Cliff View Gulf Course.