With all the recent headline news events surrounding cyclospora, a parasitic infection stemming from produce available from mass producers at the grocery store, fresh food is on the mind of many.
This illness can last for months and is an especially miserable experience, as the gastrointestinal distress is quite severe. Over 3,300 cases have been identified nationwide, with 30 of those in Tennessee. As it continues to spread, and due to the severity of the illness, locally sourced food is all the rage at just the right time of year as delicious food explodes into ripened states across our area.
The need for local farmers to step up and allow direct purchase, accompanied by the Tennessee Freedom Food Act that went into effect last year, has given local farmers the ability to sell directly to the public legally across the state. After a season of trial and error and a steep learning curve, the farmers have responded with vigor as farm and food stands are plentiful and diverse across the area…