Catoosa County residents could soon have a home-grown farmers market in their own backyard.
The county is hosting an interest meeting for local farmers and artisans regarding the Catoosa Farmers Market Thursday, April 13.
If the meeting is well attended and there is enough interest from potential vendors, the county's Parks and Recreation Department will start pursing grants to promote the new event and work toward making it a reality, said department Director Travis Barbee.
"If we don't get a big turnout, then maybe it's just not the right time," he added.
Though Catoosa residents have easy access to the Chattanooga Market and the Battlefield Farmers Market, both less than 30 minutes away, Barbee said he has heard a desire from locals and commissioners for a market closer to home.
"Recreation is not all about baseball and softball," said Barbee. "You find things that people leave your community to enjoy and try to offer them in your own community."
The Chattanooga Market has held an outreach market in the county a few times and antique-lovers can get their fix during the quarterly High Cotton Market in Ringgold, but Barbee said a positive response from Thursday's meeting could produce a more permanent installment.
He invites interested vendors within and outside the county to attend, and is hoping the meeting will also attract interest from Chattanooga Market vendors. The meeting will be used to solicit feedback from attendees on daily or seasonal fee preferences, and start a discussion about what dates and times would work best.
"We're trying to build a better Catoosa, and if they want to be a part of it in the farmers market way or really any other way, I have an open door," Barbee said.
The meeting will start at 6 p.m. at the Catoosa County Parks and Recreation office, 749 Pine Grove Road.