Local farmers sell an abundant variety of produce at the Chattanooga Market.IF YOU GO• What: Celebrate Local Food Day at Chattanooga Market• When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4• Where: First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Reggie White Blvd.• Admission: Free• Phone: 423-648-2496• Website: chattanoogamarket.comON THE EPB STAGE• 12:30 p.m. Daniel Boling• 2 p.m. SteveNKim
Knowing that the food they eat is grown or raised locally has become a priority for many area residents.
With this in mind, members of Gaining Ground, a Chattanooga nonprofit responsible for the Harvested Here local food certification program, will be at Sunday’s Chattanooga Market for Celebrate Local Food Day.
According to Market spokeswoman Melissa Siragusa, Harvested Here is a part of a growing movement of local growers, sellers and others who are committed to increasing the production and consumption of food from the region.
“When people shop at Chattanooga Market and other local farmers markets, the Harvested Here label signifies that the food being sold there was grown or raised within 100 miles of Chattanooga,” according to a news release.
“Through opportunities like Celebrate Local Food Day at the Chattanooga Market, we can recognize that not only is local food better for our health, it’s also better for our local economy and environment,” adds Ruth Kerr, of Gaining Ground, in the release. “And through several chef demonstrations this Sunday, folks will get to experience that it tastes better too.”
General Manager Paul Smith says one of the Market’s missions is to support farmers who live, grow and raise meats, eggs and fresh produce in the area.
Siragusa adds that Chattanooga Market and Gaining Ground “share the same passion for supporting local farmers.”
“Most folks don’t fully realize what a risky, hard job it is to be a farmer,” she says. “This Sunday is a day to recognize farmers’ efforts and educate Chattanoogans about how vital the role of a farmer is to our local foodshed.”
On Sunday, Gaining Ground will host booths from several of the area’s other farmers markets. There also will be a series of cooking demonstrations throughout the day, with chefs preparing and sampling easy-to-duplicate recipes involving fresh ingredients that can be picked up from vendors that day.
Featured chefs at the market will be Amanda Varnell of Dish T’Pass and Ann Keener of Slow Food Chattanooga as well as several representatives from the Virginia College Culinary School.
Free recipe cards featuring summer tomatoes will be available as part of Gaining Ground’s ongoing “in season” campaign. New recipe cards featuring different locally grown produce are available each month from participating farmers at Chattanooga Market.
Also Sunday, children have a chance to win two tickets to the Tennessee Aquarium on a scavenger hunt that will take them to various booths at the market.