A new Franklin-Simpson Farmers’ Market Pavilion was completed in downtown Franklin in 2015.   The market is aesthetically pleasing in the downtown area featuring expanded selling spaces and an increase in visibility and traffic.  There are men’s and women’s restrooms and storage space available for vendors.  Since the construction of this facility, vendor numbers and profits have greatly increased.

The market requires operating expenses, maintenance costs, and funding for festivals, music and activities for long-term success.  As a result, the Franklin-Simpson Farmers Market collaborates with the Simpson County Extension Service to host the Hometown Harvest Dinner.  This dinner takes place on the square in downtown Franklin.   It features an outdoor pre-dinner festival in the street during which ticket holders enjoy appetizers served and prepared by Farmers’ Market vendors, event sponsor informational booths and music.  The remainder of the dinner is in the Franklin First United Methodist Church Christian Life Center.  The event takes place near or during National Farmers’ Market Week in order to showcase a menu that features local food products primarily grown by the Farmers’ Market vendors, highlight the importance of agriculture in Simpson County and our local community, provide musical entertainment and a great atmosphere for friendship and fellowship.  The meal is prepared by the “Brickyard of Franklin”, and local “celebrities” many of which are farmers serve the entire meal.  We have had very impactful speakers such as State Representative Wilson Stone, State Senator David Givens, Dr. Garry Lacefield and Sharon Spencer discuss the importance of agriculture in our lives and nation.  The conclusion of the evening features a drawing for several door prizes donated from local businesses.  This last dinner was the third annual Franklin-Simpson Hometown Harvest Dinner.

The market is able to flourish in large part due to funds raised at this event.  Many vendors have reported an increase in sales due to products served the night of the Hometown Harvest Dinner.  Tickets cost $45 per person.  Seven local businesses sponsor the event.  Cumulatively, the dinner has raised over $17,500 in net profit for the Farmers’ Market to utilize.  The event continues to grow.  This year, the dinner completely sold out of tickets for the first time selling a total of 150 tickets.