Wow It has been a long time since I wrote on here. We have been so busy!
We decided to try 3 markets this year. The Main Street Market in Chattanooga, on Wednesdays from 4-6, Blue Cross Blue Shield invited us to sell to their Employees on Thursdays from 3:30-5:30pm, and The Chattanooga Market at the Tennessee Pavilion on Sundays from 11-4
On market days We start about 6:00am, picking and working in the Garden before it gets to hot for a couple of Hours. Then we bring everything back to the house to wash & pack for Market. We get done just in time to pack the truck and head to Market. We usually get to the Market about an hour before to start setting up.
One of the greatest things that has an impact on us is, that we have really have met a lot of neat people at Market. Like other farmers, that we have learned tips from. Also it is
really neat how all the farmers really like to help each other out. Such as one farm gave our farm name to a restaurant that wanted to buy Patty Pan Squash. Right now we are featured on the St Johns Menu for our heirloom Tomatoes.
We have also learned that there are a lot of People out there that are really concerned about what they eat. They want to make sure they are not getting the pesticides on their foods. There is a foundation out there called Gaining Ground that is promoting Locally grown foods within 100 miles of Chattanooga. Maybe you have noticed the bill boards for MSFM, or the magazine called Taste Buds, we are also featured in there as one of the local farmers. They have a listings of the restaurants that use local farmers too.
Debi, it's awesome what you and Gary are doing. Lewis and I would like to do something like this too. You gotta work hard at something; might as well be something you enjoy doing and being able to work together is great.
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