Healthy Grocery Options in Knoxville? (Central, Baxter: co-op, house, neighborhood)

[DCStudent]

We live just over the river in the Island Home area (moved here in August) and are currently Kroger shoppers, but where we use to live we were Trader Joe shoppers. We believe in healthy food options and buying local whenever possible, but convenience is defiantly a factor so I guess my questions are...

Two questions:

Do they have Trader Joe's in Knoxville? or does anyone know of any plans for one?

And

Are there any reasonably priced healthy supermarket options such as Trader Joe's or Earth Fare in the South or East Knoxville areas?


Thanks for you help!

[RamblinRoseRanch]

No, unfortunately no and no.

There are a few Earth Fares and Fresh Markets, but they're all in West Knoxville.

[hiknapster]

Well, there is an Earth Fare and a Fresh Market in the same vicinity in Bearden which is not that far from Island Home. And don't forget the co-op up on North Broadway. It's called Three Rivers Market. The Kroger's over in Bearden has a great organic selection, too. With the local competition, it has to.

Anyway, Earth Fare and Fresh Market will be about 15 minutes away from you. Of course that will depend on how traffic flows after the bridge closing. And 10 minutes to the co-op, with the same traffic stipulation.

[DCStudent]

They've been doing a lot of work on James White recently, added a couple stop lights and everything, and the signage is saying Jan. 3rd Henley will be closed. I'm not sure which bridge is considered the south knoxville bridge, but from where we live to Bearden is closer to 20 minutes on average, which is a bit of a trip. I think I might try and find that co-op hiknapster was talking about.


Any idea if the prices at the co-op or membership requirements?

[hiknapster]

Henley Street Bridge will be closed for 24 to 30 months. Gay Street Bridge will be open for local traffic. The official detour is James White Parkway to Moody Avenue.

Here's the info for Three Rivers. It's been in operation for over 30 years! Three Rivers Market

And here's some info that sheds more light on the bridge situation. http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/henley/detourshenley.htm The Henley Street Bridge carried roughly 38,000 vehicles a day.

[Barking Spider]

If you really need a Trader Joes fix, you can drive to Nashville.

[calvinbama]

I'd call 20 minutes a bit of a trip too, especially when you consider 20 minutes going back where you came from.

I've thought about how knox needs a trader joes myself from time to time (especially the cheap european wine selection), but for now Three Rivers Market is your best bet. I know some folks who grow for them, and they're good people who practice local organic farming. My household contributes (or will when its ready) compost to a co-op grower who lives in the neighborhood.

From island home go across gay street bridge and stay straight till W. Magnolia. Left on that then right on broadway. The market is a funky looking yellow and blue old house on the left.

[creeksitter]

I forgot to add - anyone can shop at 3 rivers market.

Another way to get there from JWP is get on I-40 W to I-275 N, take the Baxter ave exit to the E. R on Central, Left on Broadway and you are there in 3-5 blocks. There are shortcuts between central & broadway as well if you do a little exploring.

Sometime in the next couple of years the market will move to Baxter at central so this will be an easy and direct way to get there.

[Kitties of Domination]

Also, the local farmer's markets are active in spring, summer, and fall!

[RamblinRoseRanch]

I'd love a Trader Joe's here. Along with Sunflower Farmers Market (which is really a grocery store- figure that one out!) they were two of my go-to stores in Abq.