Think Spring or Early Summer

Dale and Forest Avenues in the Fort

By David Luttrell

January 24^th, 2015

It’s the middle of Winter, not a bad one so far compared to last year. But longing for the fresh produce offered up by the local farmers’ markets is an easy memory to slip into. A few years back there was a different sort of farmers’ market in Knoxville.

Situated on either side of 17th were two different produce options. At the western end of Forest Avenue was Neel’s Produce catering to local groceries and restaurants. Gone now and replaced by UT student housing. On the east side of 17th there was the tobacco warehouse and while waiting on the aforementioned crop to come in, it held stalls of local farmers’ goods. You drove in, parked and shopped for whatever was in season, corn, peaches, watermelon. The warehouse has long since been razed and a sports complex for the Emerald Youth Foundation will soon open.

So while we wait on that warmer weather and the return of the Farmers’ Markets take a small step back in time.

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