Local farmers have a new outlet for selling produce at Grace Episcopal Church in Brainerd.
Kathleen Russell is a member of Grace's outreach ministry team, the committee that organizes this summer's farmers market at the church.
"I've been a part of the food movement for several years and have been helping out at the Main Street Farmers Market," she said. "And I thought that a market would be successful in the area around our church.
"I knew there was a fair number of people who would love to have one in the area. Also, the other big markets in town are not good places for people with smaller home gardens," she said.
There are five full-time farmers who have committed to the weekly market and a growing number of backyard farmers with extra produce to sell.
"We do have some farmers who farm for a living with a large variety of produce, and we have some with gardens in their backyards with a more limited selection," Mrs. Russell said. "But it's a nice outlet for them and good for everybody."
Alex McGregor, owner of Walden Farm on Signal Mountain, is one of the full-time farmers who comes to the market each Saturday, bringing such produce as lettuce, arugula, green onions and fresh and dried herbs. He also has fresh flowers, including perennials and cut flowers.
"I think Brainerd needs a farmers market," Mr. McGregor said. "It is a residential area with a diversified population, and all can benefit from the availability of fresh, local food.
"Farmers markets also benefit the community by bringing people together and providing neighbors the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas. They become a sort of community center."
On opening day, produce sold out in the first 45 minutes, Mrs. Russell said.
"Things have settled down a bit now, though, with more farmers bringing in more produce," she added.
There is no fee for farmers bringing in their produce and plants, but the market is developing guidelines, she said.
"For now, we're just asking that the vendors be growing (their produce) without chemical fertilizers and pesticides," Mrs. Russell said.
The Slow Food movement, a grass-roots effort promoting sustainable agriculture across the country, is alive and growing in Chattanooga. One of its missions is to support locally grown foods in the area.
Tricia King, chapter leader of Slow Food Chattanooga, said the new market enhances those already here: Main Street Farmers Market on Wednesday afternoons and Chattanooga Market on Sundays, as well Chattanooga Market's scaled-down market at Miller Plaza every Thursday during the growing season.
"The Brainerd market at Grace is another avenue for people to access good, clean and fair food, which is what Slow Food promotes," Ms. King said, adding that it's a win-win situation for both farmer and consumer.
"Buying directly from the farmer puts more money in the farmers' pockets rather than having them go through a middle man, and the consumer is getting a better quality of food that's freshly picked and full of nutrients. Our bodies respond better to foods that are in season.
"I think it's great to have so many markets in Chattanooga and wish there were one in every community," Ms. King said.
Mrs. Russell said she loves the community that forms around a market.
"People stay and chat, and in future weeks, we'll have entertainment come and play, too," she said. "It's a wonderful way to contribute to a sustainable environment, what Chattanooga's trying to do. There's a big impetus for that now."
IF YOU GO
* What: Brainerd Farmer's Market.
* Where: Grace Episcopal Church (parking lot), 20 Belvoir Ave.
* Hours: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays
CUTLINE
Staff photo by Danielle Moore
Martha Cutwright, left, checks out the produce from DogStar Farms, owned by Ron and Jan Stephenson, during the Brainerd Farmers Market at Grace Episcopal Church. Farmers, artists, growers and coffee roasters gather every Saturday in the church parking lot starting at 11 a.m.