The Market Chef is the person who does food demonstrations at the Farmers' Markets. The Market Chef for the May 23 Farmers Market was Elizabeth Tindell of Tindell’s Farmhouse Bakery in Corryton. Elizabeth grew up on a farm and loves growing her own food and spending time outdoors. Using greens from Seven Springs Farm to Table and strawberries from Little Valley Nursery, Elizabeth prepared free samples of delicious no-bake Strawberry Cheesecake and a taste of salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette dressing. Her daughter Faith was assisting with the sale of a variety of homemade biscuits and quilts handmade by Faith’s sister. If interested in any of the Tindell’s Farmhouse Bakery breads, cookies, or pies, Elizabeth can be contacted at LizTindell2@gmail.com. Elizabeth also offers cooking classes for young and old alike.

Debbie Meritsky, owner of Eat My Granola, has a variety of granola blends, including Almond Chai, Orange Cardamom Cashew, and a nut- and seed-free option. Her granolas are organic and gluten-free, made with olive oil instead of seed oils, and contain no processed sugars. She also produces gluten-free desserts. Debbie makes her granola at the Heritage Commercial Kitchen and can be reached at EatMyGranolaNow@gmail.com.

Her husband, Marc Rotman, is also an artisan. He owns Master Repurposers and creates stained-glass, mosaic, and resin art, often combining all three media in a single piece. He has practiced his craft for about 35 years and has taught stained glass classes for the past 15 years at Pellissippi State and the Appalachian Arts and Crafts Center. For information about his artwork or classes, Marc can be reached at MasterRepurposers@gmail.com

The Cottage Kitchen is a small home jelly business run by husband-and-wife team Melanie and Danny Cox from Claiborne County. They produce many different jellies, including Blueberry, Peach, and Strawberry. Danny grows peppers and, when the peppers are ready, there will be a fresh jalapeño pepper jelly offering as well. Danny says that jelly-making is an old-timey craft, and he fondly remembers growing up with his mom making jellies and canning at home. Something acidic is needed to make fruit jellies. The Coxes learned that some kids did not like their jelly and found that it was the acidic apple cider vinegar they were using. When they substituted lemon juice for the vinegar, the same kids loved the jelly. If a customer does not like one of their products, Melanie and Danny promise to “make it right”.

Allen Beeler lives on 20 acres that, 120 years ago, were part of his great-grandfather Louis Raley’s 300-acre tomato farm on Little Valley Rd. The rest of the original acreage is divided up among the Raley descendants. Allen first became interested in horticulture as a young boy. He has always loved flowers and watching things grow. Several years ago, he started the Little Valley Nursery. There are about 2 acres in production, including the greenhouses.

Allen grows a variety of plants, including ornamental annuals, perennials, tropicals, and succulents, as well as vegetable starts. During the growing season, he sells produce from his own garden. He grows both determinate tomatoes (for canning, all the tomatoes ripen at one time) and indeterminate tomatoes (which produce consistently all summer long and into fall). Before his garden produces, Allen supplements with food from other sources. At this market, for instance, he had some gorgeous Grainger County tomatoes. Allen usually attends most of the Farmers' Market.

When asked how he manages the workload of 2 acres of plants, he said that he has a lot of help! His brother, Robbie Beeler, and Allen’s son, Christopher Dyke, Allen’s mom, Barbie Beeler, and a host of extended family members chip in to help with the work. Although Little Valley Farm is NOT a certified organic farm, Allen believes in using as few chemicals as possible. No pesticides or herbicides are used on his farm, so they do not get on his food. He can be reached at (865) 258-9926 or beelerchristopher17@gmail.com

And we want to thank Donnie Pitman’s band, Kings Servant Because of Jesus, for providing music for this Farmers' Market.