Murphy – The Cherokee Clay Food Alliance partnered with the Murphy Farmers Market at the L&N Depot on Aug. 19 to bring folks an event that celebrates fruit in a variety of ways.
Fun with Fruit Day started at 9 a.m. with a demonstration on how to make apple chutney then moved to making fruit salsa at 10 a.m. Of course there were samples for anyone wanting a taste. A How to Make Grape Jam demo started at 11 a.m., followed by the anticipated pie contest at 11:30.
Pies of different varieties were on hand to sample, including apple, blueberry, key lime, ginger-pear and tomato. With the exception of the rouge category, all pies within the different categories were made from scratch, including the crust.
For a $5 donation, one could be a judge with the understanding that judges needed to sample every pie in order to help determine the winners. No one was complaining.
Tim Reeves was visiting from Carrollton, Ga., and tasted the different pies.
“They are all great, every one of them,” he said, “but I’ll have to go with the ginger-pear as my favorite.”
While some people were inside tasting pies, others were out trying the different samples of fresh fruit like watermelon, wild grapes, peaches, plums and a variety of apples.
“We want people to remember that the purpose of the farmers market is to come and get fresh, nutrient-dense foods.” said Angela Henningfeld, who was assisting with the Cherokee Clay Food Alliance.
Among all the tasty treats were regular participants of the Saturday morning Murphy Farmers Market, which brought folks out with fresh veggies, honey, cakes, lamb and eggs, as well as plants and a host of handmade arts and crafts.
The overall pie winners were Evan Conklin, who took first place for his peach and nectarine pie. Second place went to a happy Marion Severy for her tasty ginger-pear pie.
Charlene Smith with the Cherokee Clay Food Alliance was seen with a slice of blueberry pie.
“We’ve had a very good turnout,” she said. “It’s a good program that connects the farmer with the farmers market. We’re trying to promote local farmers, food and produce.”