The Market on Labor Day had a lot of competition. School is back in session, football games were everywhere and folks were looking forward to Thunder in the Park and fireworks. The market routinely sees over 500 marketgoers and there were not as many as usual today.

Harlynn Zielinski of Zee Farm was busy selling eggs and carefully counting money under the watchful eyes of parents Camden and Mari. Their eggs are very popular and often sell out at the farm before they can even take some to the market. Harlynn was a Best Egg Competition winner at the Corn Festival!

Usually, two beekeepers have local honey for sale at the Market. So why buy local? Store-bought honey is less expensive! Well, mass-produced (manufactured in large quantities at low cost using machines, factories, and assembly) honey undergoes high heat (pasteurization) and fine filtration. This process removes pollen and slows crystallization, but it destroys beneficial nutrients. Local honey stays raw and keeps its natural pollen, enzymes, amino acids, and antioxidants. Eating a spoonful of raw honey every day provides your body with a steady dose of antioxidants, prebiotics, and natural energy. So local honey is a much better value.

Honey is typically sold by the pound, and most producers sell it in glass containers. Glass is the best material for long-term honey storage because it is completely inert, non-porous, and will not absorb odors or let moisture pass through. Both KSB Apiary and Nana’s Farm Products are running low on honey and, when they are out, it will be next year before the bees have produced enough to harvest and sell. Best to get your winter supply now!

Steve and Cindy Cassidy attended this Market to share educational information about their Jehovah's Witnesses religion. Jehovah’s Witnesses emerged from the Bible Student movement, a restorationist and Adventist-influenced movement founded by Charles Taze Russell in the 1870s in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jehovah’s Witnesses strive to follow the form of Christianity Jesus taught and his apostles practiced. They believe that there should be no social, ethnic, racial, or class divisions. There were many free brochures discussing the secrets of a successful family, the importance of prayer, and how to cope with challenges. More information can be found on their website www.JW.org

Market Chef Hannah Niday prepared gluten-free Apple Cider Muffins using a special mix from Magnolia Mountain. The mix uses simple ingredients for really good, delicious flavor.

There would be no Union County TN Farmers’ Market without a corps of volunteers. Deb Muir and Laura Bollerslev are two of them, and they staffed the Market Manager’s information table, answering questions and providing informational nutrition materials.