Farmers market finds new home at Christ United Methodist

The East Brainerd Farmers Market has moved to a new location which puts the fresh weekly offerings closer to the center of the East Brainerd area.

More Info

Erlanger East also hosts a new farmers market from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Wednesday. For more information about The Chattanooga Market at Erlanger East, visit chattanoogamarket.com.

Formerly held at Audubon Acres, the Tuesday market is now held from 3-7 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church. The move also allows market-goers to shop produce, bread and other supplies there before picking up remaining needed items at the Publix across the street, said Lori Carter, director of Lookout Farmers Market, which holds several markets, including the East Brainerd Farmers Market, around town.

"Audubon Acres has been wonderful; everything about it has been great. But we were looking for more visibility and also wanted to be more in the central East Brainerd area," Carter said of the location change, which took place at the end of February. "It was something a lot of customers requested."

This year, she added, the market is year-round for the first time since it began in 2014. And, farmers currently have a variety of winter produce as well as early spring crops due to the unseasonably warm weather.

"A lot of people think you can't grow things in Chattanooga in the wintertime, but that's just not the case," she said, adding that produce like spinach, lettuce, chard, beets, radishes and sweet potatoes are among the most prevalent in the market's current inventory. Additionally, fresh bread, honey, eggs, non-GMO starter plants and flowers and other items are available.

However, Carter added, in order for the market to continue to be successful, community support is needed.

"Local food really does taste better and there are just more nutrients. Some of it was just picked that morning," she said. "But good intentions don't pay farmers' bills. We need people to support them by buying their products."

For more information on the Lookout Farmers Market's locations, visit lookoutfarmersmarket.com.

Email Gabrielle Chevalier at gchevalier@timesfreepress.com.

Upcoming Events