Public Markets will reopen the Collegedale Market on Sunday, May 10. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the 2020 season eight weeks ago. The Chattanooga Market will reopen later this month.
Cynthia Chaffer of Red Clay Farms is looking forward to having an outlet for their crops again.
“We’ve missed our customers and are looking forward to replenishing their kitchens with our organic produce,” she says. “We’ll have seasonal greens such as kale, lettuce and Swiss chard, our milled products, which include cornmeal, corn grits, wheat flour, bread flour, rye flour, pumpernickel flour, oat porridge and oat flour, and a variety of micro greens.”
The Collegedale Market will reopen with new guidelines and restrictions. The modified market will feature:
• Fewer than 50 farmers and food artisans
• Essentials such as soaps and lotions
• Food trucks with take-and-go items
• Vendors will be wearing masks and gloves
• Flowers from flower farms
Patrons will be expected to wear face masks – per state guidelines – observe social distancing and limit their visits to under one hour.
Sampling or unnecessary handling of products will not be allowed. In addition, there will be no arts and crafts, no on-site dining, no live music and no festivals or other activities.
In addition, the market will take place outdoors only. (Founders Hall will remain closed.)
Hours will be 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Downtown Market is scheduled reopen its essentials-only version May 23-24. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Source: Public Markets