Franklin, TN - Organic, Local, Homemade!

When we moved here to the Middle Tennessee area about 2 1/2 years ago for my husband's job, we weren't really sure which area was the right fit for our family to live.  We drove around with a close friend of mine from high school who lived in the Nashville area and looked at many neighborhoods and homes.  When we got to Franklin, we knew that was the place!  We originally settled into a wonderful neighborhood called McKay's Mill and became quickly acquainted with the people at Tap Root Farm and launched our first batch of chickens on their land.  We are happy for the wonderful relationships we developed with that great family!  Once we started looking for our own land, we quickly discovered the charm of Columbia, TN.  However, we are very excited to still be close to Franklin, TN and drive there about one a week to enjoy the beautiful downtown area and all the organic local shopping.  Here are a few of our favorite places!!

Herban Market

Herban Market located at 3978 Maddux Way, Ste 300, Franklin, TN 37069 www.herban-market.com is the newest addition to the growing trend of local farm fresh and organic food in Middle Tennessee.  The friendly owner, Matt Hogancamp, has done an incredible job of pulling together a wonderful combination of locally sourced all natural and organic meats, dairy and produce from local family run farms.  In addition, he carries a variety of herbal supplements and organic cleaning products.  The most amazing thing that definitely sets this place apart from most other local farmer's markets is the organic extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar bar with over 70 infused flavors you can taste and have bottled on demand!  Beautiful stainless steel vats line a rustic wooden bar just waiting for you to discover taste explosions that will take any recipe to the next level and beyond!  If that isn't enough, they also carry Nashville's own Bongo Java coffee.  I was in there this past Saturday and the smell alone was worth the visit.  Give it a try.  I highly recommend!

Merridee's Breadbasket

Merridee's Breadbasket located at 110 4th Ave. S., Franklin, TN 37064 www.merridees.com is owned by Jim Kreider.  This wonderful little bakery is a favorite lunch hot spot in the downtown Franklin, TN area and a nationally recognized bakery that has been featured in Southern Living Magazine.  Tasty chicken salad, BLT's and turkey club sandwiches on fresh homemade bread baked in-store daily make for a nice change from the usual burger or taco.  

They have soups and salads to accompany the vast selection of hot and cold sandwiches. There are smoothies, specialty coffee drinks, and fruit tea to enjoy.  For dessert there are glass counters lined up with the most wonderful cookies, cakes, bars and pies you can imagine!  All breads and sweets are made on site with fresh ingredients.  It is a sweet lover's dream come true!  Every time my husband and I go there we have to buy a loaf of homemade wheat bread and some cookie bars for later.  

Savory Spice Shop

Savory Spice Shop located at 324 Main St., Franklin, TN 37064 www.savoryspiceshop.com is located in the heart of downtown Franklin just across from the Mellow Mushroom.  Anyone taking an afternoon stroll down Main Street cannot help but be lured in by the magnificent smells of fresh exotic spices wafting out the front door of this adorable shop.  Owner Hollie Rollins is only too happy to help you discover all the wonderful recipe ideas and find just the right flavor combinations for any dish you can conjure up.  With more than 160 blends of handcrafted extracts, sauces and spice blends from all over the world, the combinations of flavors are to numerous to fathom.  All spices are fresh ground in weekly batches with no fillers, additives or preservatives.  They are packaged on demand in a variety of sizes to choose from.  

We were so impressed with the sights, tastes and smells in this shop that we now attach Savory Spice Shop seasoning packets to all our farm fresh poultry to take the guesswork out of making dinner.  Here is a picture making the labels with the seasoning packets for our last CSA pickup at Blair's Bird Barn here at Blair Brook Farm.  Simplified cooking at it's finest.  Not sure what to do with your chicken for dinner tonight?  How about Jamaican Jerk, Memphis BBQ Rub, Herbes de Provence, Bourbon Barrel Black Pepper or my new personal favorite... Italian Black Truffle Sea Salt!!  Imagine telling your family or dinner guests that you are serving Italian Black Truffle Chicken with wild rice for dinner.  Can you picture their faces when they realize you just became a 4 star chef when they weren't looking?  The Savory Spice Shop can make it happen!  Check out our website www.blairsbirdbarn.com to get a farm fresh chicken with a sample pack of spices for your special dinner tonight!  Check out the Savory Spice Shop in downtown Franklin, TN to pick your own fresh spices or order online.