Sure, you can pick up tomatoes or peaches or corn at the grocery store. But summertime is prime time for fresh-picked fruits and vegetables — and Nashville’s farmers markets have them by the bushel.
Social media is the perfect tool for keeping up with what’s in season. Local Nashvillians who are hungry for local produce can make some delicious discoveries by following these five local fresh-meisters, who use their Twitter and Facebook posts to do much, much more than list their wares.
•The grandaddy of them all, Nashville Farmer’s Market, delivers a total fresh food experience. They’ve got ingredients for home cooks, remarkable takeout stands like AM@FM and Green Asia, instruction from visiting chefs and onsite cooking demonstrations, not to mention the garden store and flea market. It’s a lot to keep up with, so the NFM Facebook and Twitter pages let food fiends know what’s happening day and night, year-round.
•With its music, yoga class, kid-friendly atmosphere and Bongo Java coffee, the West Nashville Farmers Market has become a neighborhood gathering place. That doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t horn in on the year-round fun. Plus, the connection to Good Food for Good People means that Facebook posts highlight the non-eating related benefits of consuming local foods.
•The New York Times recently declared East Nashville as hipster central in the city. Well, all the bearded, Jack White-worshipping residents check in to Twitter and Facebook to find out about what organically grown produce or artisan cheeses will be laid out at the East Nashville Farmers Market. A blog and weekly eNewsletter also highlight seasonal specials and educate discriminating shoppers about clean, fresh, healthy foods. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
•The folks behind the 12 South Farmers Market want everyone to enjoy the bounty of beautiful fruits and veggies they pick up from local farmers. So tweets and Facebook posts often include recipes for produce at its peak season.
•For the big picture, you can’t do better than Pick Tennessee Products. Presented by the state’s Department of Agriculture, this organization is the ultimate source to find locally produced foods. They get you with posts that include mouthwatering photos and keep it up with recipes, videos and tons of information. Heck, you can even find locally produced pet food through their website. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook and in no time you’ll be buying local and raving about our state’s fine farmers.
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Nashville is a thriving creative hub of local pride and talented businesses. As marketers by trade and Nashville enthusiasts by choice, Parthenon wants to celebrate organizations employing creative marketing, advertising and social media efforts in our hometown!
This post is the 11th in a series that highlights excellent Facebook pages, Twitter handles, YouTube videos and Pinterest boards that show Nashvillians contribute much more than honky tonks, hot chicken and country music. Check back to see who you should be following in Parthenon’s Socially Savvy 5 to Follow.
