Monday was supposed to be kind of a rainy day, so I decided to run out and pick up some provisions at my favorite artisan producers.
My first stop was the Community Market in Delano, TN, which is between Benton, TN and Etowah, TN on Highway 411. This is a Mennonite community and their farm is absolutely gorgeous–even in the pouring rain.
My next stop was Benton’s Ham in Madisonville, TN–just up Highway 411 a ways. We were completely out of bacon and I thought my husband was going to have a panic attack. If you are traveling on I-75 through East TN, it is well worth a detour to come here. They are open from 8:30 to 5:00 except for Sunday. Alan Benton was there this morning. He will thank you for coming in every time you see him. We love the bacon, prosciutto, local honey, and the smoked sausage.
My last stop this morning was Sweetwater Valley Cheese which is about 25 minutes mostly east of Benton’s Hams. They have all kinds of cheddars, goudas, jack, and farmers cheeses. If you are going to use it in recipes, the best deal is to get the trimmings. If you buy more than $50 worth, you can select three packages of trimmings out of the cooler behind the cash register. They also carry a bunch of other made in TN items.
It was a rainy, but successful foraging trip!
Cathy At Home on the River 
Another Yummy
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