Alton Park Community Farm & Market
Where: 200 W. 38th Street (Bethlehem Center)
When: May-November, Saturday from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Alton Park Community Farm and Market provides access to fresh, all-natural produce at a low cost to neighborhood residents. Its goal is to provide a thriving market at the center of a safe community, says market manager Everett Parker.
Brainerd Farmers Market
Where: 20 Belvoir Avenue (Grace Episcopal Church)
When: Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon through December.
Brainerd Farmers Market features locally grown fruits, vegetables, meats and eggs, as well as locally crafted goods and prepared foods.
Where: 1829 Reggie White Boulevard (First Horizon Pavilion)
When: Now through Thanksgiving, Sundays 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Chattanooga Market will open for its 24th season Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28. Strawberries will be in-season, and farms will be eager to place a basket in every set of arms. Opening weekend goods will include herbs, bouquets, baked breads, sweet treats and artisan-made foods. The Chattanooga Market will also offer more paintings, jewelry, woodworks and photography than past seasons, as several new artists will be selling their creations. Live music on the Lodge Cast Iron Sizzle Stage opening weekend will include Sweet Georgia Sound Saturday and New Grass Express Sunday. In the weeks ahead, each Sunday will boast a new theme, including the Strawberry Festival (May 5), Mother’s Day with Acura of Chattanooga (May 12) and the Street Food Festival (May 26).
Lookout Farmers Market
Where: 2525 Desales Avenue (CHI Memorial Hospital), 2051 Hammill Road (CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson)
When: Memorial Hospital Tuesdays 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Memorial Hospital Hixson Thursdays 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Lookout Farmers Market will be in Lookout Mountain this season, as well. Announcement coming.
Where: 1804 Chestnut Street
When: Wednesdays 4 p.m.-6 p.m. year-round
The Main Street Farmers Market is a producers-only, farmer-run market. It was founded in 2009 to allow farmers and food producers to bring locally grown products to Chattanooga-area consumers.
The Main Street Farmers Market board of directors inspects each vendor to ensure the market sells quality, sustainably grown and prepared goods. To be considered for vendor membership, farms must be located within a 100-mile radius of downtown Chattanooga and must practice environmentally-friendly farming methods.
Where: 5829 Main Street (Ooltewah Nursery & Landscape)
When: April-October, Thursdays 3 p.m.-6 p.m.; November-March, Thursdays 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
True to its name, Ooltewah Farmers Market is made up of local farmers who sell products they raised and harvested themselves – which means no wholesalers, resellers or crafts. OFM’s market manager, Angel Miller, inspects each farm to ensure everything sold at the market is locally grown.
Millier says shopping at a farmers market is a different experience than shopping at a chain store.
“A larger percentage of the dollars you spend here will actually stay here and do more to stimulate our local economy. Also, when you shop at a true farmers market, you purchase food directly from the person who grew it for your family. You can ask questions, and even get cooking or preserving tips.
“Plus, many farms harvest just hours before coming to market, so that purchase is super fresh and likely will last longer compared to produce harvested out of state and shipped across the country. Finally, our market purchase supports local agriculture and helps make small family farms a viable option.”
As the seasons change, the items offered at Ooltewah Farmers Market change as well. In the spring, the market might offer home baked breads, free-range eggs (chicken, duck and goose), seasonal fruits, cut flowers, raw honey, artisanal cheeses, gourmet mushrooms, jam, jellies, raw milk (cow and goat), kombucha, baked goods, seasonings, fresh juices, lettuces, kale, radish, green garlic, spring onions, potatoes, carrots, Kohlrabi, Asian greens, cabbage, collard greens, grass-fed meats (beef, pork, lamb and poultry) and more.
Where: 7514 Hixson Pike (St. Alban’s Episcopal Church)
When: Through October, Saturdays 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
St. Alban’s Hixson Market also hosts a Holly Jolly Market during the holidays. As market manager Dan Sanders says, “Chickens don’t quit in the winter.”
St. Alban’s Hixson Market sells eggs, honey, green beans, radishes, cucumbers, kale, mustard greens, beets, collard greens, okra, zucchini, yellow squash, microgreens, canned goods, jellies, jams, natural soaps, insect sprays. essential oils, culinary and medicinal herb plants, herbal teas, seasoning blends, Australian baked goods, locally roasted coffee and elderberry syrups.