The Chattanooga Market will be hosting Gaining Ground, a Chattanooga non-profit responsible for the Harvested Here local food certification program Sunday. The program is a part of a growing movement of local growers, sellers and others who are committed to increasing the production and consumption of local food in the Chattanooga region.
When people shop at Chattanooga Market and other local farmers markets, the Harvested Here label signifies that the food being sold there was grown or raised within 100 miles of Chattanooga.
"Through opportunities like Celebrate Local Food Day at the Chattanooga Market, we can recognize that not only is local food better for our health, it's also better for our local economy and environment," said Ruth Kerr of Gaining Ground. "And through several chef demonstrations this Sunday, folks will get to experience that it tastes better too.
Chattanooga Market General Manager, Paul Smith agrees, "One of our missions at the Market is to support farmers and farms of all sizes who live, grow and raise meats, eggs, and fresh produce - right here at home."
At Chattanooga Market this Sunday, Gaining Ground will host booths for several of the area's additional farmers markets who will be on hand to demonstrate their involvement in Chattanooga’s food community. As well, there will be s series of cooking demonstrations happening throughout the entire day with chefs preparing and sampling easy to duplicate recipes involving fresh ingredients right from the Market. Featured chefs are Amanda Varnell of Dish T' Pass, Ann Keener of Slow Food Chattanooga and several culinary representatives from the Virginia College Culinary School. Free recipe cards featuring summer tomatoes will also be available as part of Gaining Ground's ongoing "in season" campaign. New recipes cards are available each month from participating farmers at Chattanooga Market featuring a different locally grown produce item.
Kids can participate too and learn more about eating local healthy foods. A scavenger hunt taking them to various farm booths will be available for a chance to win two tickets to the Tennessee Aquarium.
Live music on the EPB stage for Sunday will be Daniel Boling at 12:30 p.m. and SteveNKim at 2 p.m.