Hip Donelson Farmers Market

What can I say about the donelson farmers market that hasn’t been said? There’s always great producers there! The only thing it’s missing is butter and dairy. I know there’s a fancy butter company, but I mean just plain old butter!

This a fun farmer’s market in Donelson (hence the name). If you’re driving down Lebanon Pike, keep an eye out for the Ace Hardware store. The market is in the lot. Don’t be deterred by this. There’s lots to enjoy.
What the market may lack in size, it makes up in diversity of product and good cheer of/​from the vendors. Of particular note:
Artisan cheese from Kenny’s Farmhouse cheese;
Prof. Bailey’s pimento cheese (I can’t stop eating it; someone take it away from me before I gain 60 pounds);
Papa C’s pies (see above);
Vegan spinach almond dip that stacks up to your favorite cream-​based spinach artichoke dips;
hickory syrup from Hales Haven;
artisan soaps (I didn’t know that I had a thing for artisan soaps until I started frequenting farmer’s markets. Now, I’m *way* too fancy for Dial. #changedman);
fresh produce;
salsa; and
jams.
And the above are just items that piqué my interest/​dig in to my wallet. There are many more items from which to choose. Again, in comparison to markets of similar (even slightly bigger) sizes throughout the metro, I don’t know that you’ll find a better mix of vendors and goods. Donelson is throwing down the gauntlet, y’all. You other metro areas best take note. Season starts back up today.

I really liked this farmer’s market! I got there right at four so I had no problems parking. Some highlights– the pimento cheese, French breakfast radishes, and beautiful Japanese eggplants. What I would love to try are the homemade tortillas. There’s a nice mix of produce, meat, and other prepared goods.

Kind people.
Great food.
Wicked hot today but it’s set up very smart.
Very easy to get through.
Samples the first round.
Purchases the second round.
They have a small area with live music that is just loud enough.
The gelato has a better logo than product so the $ 4 for a prepackaged single serving was disappointing. I ordered coffee flavored but it was pretty blah.
Just made dinner of cilantro lime pasta, chicken and sourdough bread. Can’t wait to go back next week!

I really like when people not only listen to feedback, but also act upon it. In my last review, I had some major concerns about parking and pedestrian safety. Overflow parking now has clear signage (see photo), and there are also people in florescent vests directing traffic so that pedestrians can safely cross the street (see photo). There is also a shuttle that runs from the overflow lot, so that if you don’t want to walk then you don’t have to. Kudos for all these improvements!
Also, if you have never had an empanada from Casa Segovia-​Paz, then you have been missing out. Their chicken empanadas are amazing as well as the cilantro-​based sauce that it is served with. I think this food vendor is out there every week (at least I hope they are).
Bottom Line: Donelson is at least making strides to become a better community, and I think this is worth checking out at least once. 3.75 stars.