Chattanooga continues to cultivate relationships with the food community as locals connect their favorite products with the friendly faces that harvest them. Mark your calendars for the returning farmers’ markets in Chattanooga as they feature sustainably grown produce, live music, seasonal events, and fresh artisan delights.
Main Street Farmers Market
Wednesdays, year-round
Located outside Southside’s Chattanooga Brewing Co., Main Street Farmers Market continues to inspire a healthy and environmentally friendly lifestyle. Open from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. March through mid-November and 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. November to mid-March, the market features a fantastic lineup of vendors including Blue Indian Kombucha, Midway Mushrooms, Southerly Flower Farm, Sequatchie Cove Farm, and Wheeler’s Orchard. Main Street Farmers Market requires all vendors to reside within a 100-mile radius of downtown Chattanooga and prioritize the health of surrounding natural resources while cultivating their products and produce. In addition to these locally grown products, perhaps the biggest draw to the Main Street Farmers Market is the monthly events that locals hate to miss – such as April’s Spring-A-Ma-Jig, September’s Falltoberfest, and November’s Thanksgiving Tuesday Market.
Ooltewah Farmers Market
Thursdays, year-round
Nestled inside the family-owned Ooltewah Nursery & Landscape Co. building, the Ooltewah Farmers Market welcomes locals to shake the hands of the farmers who grew their produce in this independent market. Open every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. April through October and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. November through March, Ooltewah Farmers Market provides an abundance of quality items year-round, from seasonal fruits and vegetables to fresh and dried culinary herbs and a wide variety of gourmet and medicinal mushrooms. Starting in April, the Ooltewah Farmers Market celebrates its 10th season with all who share a love of locally grown produce and artisanal treats including pastured and/or grass-fed meats, raw local honey, and hand-crafted goat milk soaps, lotions, lip balms, and baby care items. As a food-focused market, Ooltewah brings a special flair to seasonal events showcasing the natural beauty of farming. Don’t miss out on this year’s National Dairy Goat Awareness Day on June 16, when locals can meet with the goats of Dixie Does Alpines, engage in a live milking demonstration, and savor the natural flavors of farm-fresh goat cheeses, spreads, and fudge.
The Chattanooga Market
Sundays, April through December
The Chattanooga Market returns this April with the kind faces that represent Chattanooga’s farming and artisanal community. Open Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., it hosts a large variety of unique and veteran vendors including Daylilies, Hazelrig Orchards, and Signal Mountain Farm. Complemented with food trucks on-site and live music greeting visitors at the door, there’s no question why this market remains a local favorite. One of the many popular features of the Chattanooga Market is the weekly festivities held, such as the Mother’s Day Celebration on May 8 – providing plenty of gift ideas and fresh flowers to make any mom feel special – and the Street Food Festival on May 29 – perfect for foodies to indulge in a mixture of flavors sure to please any taste palate. As one of the largest markets in Chattanooga, there is a rotation of locations throughout the weekend, guaranteeing everyone the chance to partake in this year’s festivities. Check out the sister locations below.
The Chattanooga River Market
Saturdays, March through September
With the scenic Tennessee River serving as a backdrop, the Chattanooga River Market boasts the exceptional talents of local and regional artists offering a wide selection of jewelry, photography, apparel, woodworks, and much more. Open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the heart of the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, this outdoor market provides smooth accessibility to all of the delightful amenities downtown Chattanooga has to offer. With a dozen food trucks featured weekly, it’s always lunchtime at the market, and shoppers can happily enjoy some of their local favorites – including café-style sandwiches, empanadas, famous Lupi’s pizza, Cajun food, and many other types of cuisine – while shopping any of the 200 vendors showcased. There are endless opportunities to stumble upon something new from all the different skills and talents featured.
The Chattanooga Market at Erlanger
Fridays, year-round
Tucked inside the Erlanger Medical Mall, this cozy mini-market is open from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Friday. Associated with the Chattanooga Market, the Erlanger location stands out thanks to its exclusivity of featuring only 20 vendors. Locals will find a carefully selected group of craft merchants and local farmers selling homemade trinkets, high-quality produce, and beautifully crafted artwork. As with the other markets mentioned here, admission is free and open to the public.
Let Chattanooga make your good day a great one and visit any of the local farmers’ markets near you!
