It’s hard now to remember life and the local food scene back before Chattanooga Market opened in 2002, but I do remember this paper writing stories about the demise of local farming. I also recall listening to market founder Nick Jessen pitch to me his radical idea of introducing fresh, local produce to consumers.
I say radical with a touch of sarcasm because a lot of foodies today try to act like they invented eating a carrot right out of the ground. Pretty sure folks were doing it for a long time before the reintroduction of fresh and local markets to the area, and we got away from it because the reality is that farming is risky, expensive and hard work.
Barry CourterIt was also interesting, and sad, to watch and listen as Jessen and the farmers had to explain to people that fresh blackberries, blueberries, tomatoes, etc. are only in season when Mother Nature says so. If you’re eating blackberries in January, they weren’t grown around here.
I have to confess that at the time I’d come to believe that all produce should be available year-round at the local chain grocery and that all tomatoes should look exactly alike, kind of like they were created in a laboratory.
Anyway, in addition to providing farmers a place to sell their produce, the local markets have given entrepreneurs a place to sell everything from photographs to prepared foods. In some cases, these vendors have grown their businesses beyond just selling stuff one day a week and are now in several retail outlets.
One of these is Hoff & Pepper Sauce, makers of a hot sauce that is produced in Chattanooga by founder Aaron “Hoff” Hoffman and his wife, Michelle “Pepper” Hoffman. You can watch a newly made documentary about the company and the Hoffmans on Vimeo.
It’s a pretty cool story that kind of embodies a lot of what is good about living here. It’s a story of collaboration and spirit. And the sauce is pretty darn good also.
You can find the sauce at several Chattanooga retail outlets such as Elder Ace Hardware, Mojo Burrito, Mean Mug Coffeehouse, Harvest Grocery, Imbibe Wine & Spirits and, of course, on most Sunday afternoons at Chattanooga Market.
You can also purchase Hoff Sauce online at hoffandpepper.com.
Chattanooga Market, if you’re wondering, opens for the season April 23-24.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.