Agriculture Rules

The mission of the Chattanooga Market includes the creation of opportunities for local growers to sell their products, to ensure that each grower is protected by eliminating competition that does not abide by the hand-crafted principles by which the Market was formed, to provide the buying public with the freshest, highest quality produce available, and to enforce a truth in advertising policy, making sure that individual growing practices meet the public perception what is being sold.

The Golden Rule of all vendors selling in the Chattanooga Market is that “the Maker is always the Seller”. There are no exceptions to this policy in any area of operation. Therefore, if seller of farm products did not personally create the products they cannot be sold in this venue.

PRODUCT LABELING

Certified Organically Grown: Farmers enrolled in an organic certification program produce all of the produce, flowers and plants available from the Market with this label.

Certification of a farmer usually entails:
• Yearly third-party verification inspections of growers by trained inspectors to ensure absolute adherence to the guidelines of the certification organization;
• Development of a “Farm Plan”, which addresses the use of strategies and technologies for long-term improvements to the soil;
• Laboratory testing of soil and plant tissues for persistent pesticide residues.
• Some stats in our area offer their own certification programs. Labeling designating “certified organic” must denote the governing body of the certification.

Sustainably Grown: Does not condone or permit the use of synthetically compounded pesticides or fertilizers which have been derived either from or through the use of petrochemicals; Allows the use of botanically derived pesticides and naturally occurring fertilizers – such as animal manures, powdered minerals and botanical extracts.  Sustainable farmers utilize as much on-farm derived inputs as economically possible; generally prioritizes soil-building strategies to provide a long-term basis for soil fertility and tilt.
The use of biologic pest control, such as providing habitat for beneficial insects or direct introduction of same, is regarded as more a sustainable method of pest control than is the use of botanically derived pesticides. Periodic farm visits may be made by Market management to ensure to the buying public and the other growers in the Market that these growing principles are being followed. (Soil & tissue samples may be taken for independent testing. Costs of this process will be paid by Market).

Locally Grown (conventional): Products carrying this label are grown through farming practices and regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Agriculture. Those regulations allow the use of a number of synthetically derived pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers. These growers may also use botanically derived pesticides and naturally occurring fertilizers.  These products were grown locally and by the person selling the product.

LAWS AND REGULATIONS

We work closely with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to educate and facilitate proper, safe and effective agricultural practices.  In most situations, a license is not required to grow, harvest and sell unprocessed produce at The Chattanooga Market.

If you have any questions, please contact us prior to scheduling a market appearance and we will assist in connecting you with the right people/information.

Live Plants: A license is required to transport & resale any live plant within the state of Tenneessee.

Processed Foods: Due to food safety issues, all processed foods (anything other than a raw, natural product) requires the successful completion of a food safety class, kitchen inspections and ongoing licensing.  It’s not a terribly difficult process, but does require proper planning & ongoing safety practices from you.