Chattanooga Market: 10 Must-See Highlights at One of America's Top Farmers Markets

Recognized as one of the nation's premier farmers markets—including a top 10 ranking by Frommer's—the Chattanooga Market is a true producer-only venue. Vendors personally grow or craft every item, from hand-blown glass bead necklaces to bushels of tomatoes harvested that morning within a 100-mile radius. If driving, pack a cooler—you'll need it for the bounty.

10 Things Not to Miss at the Chattanooga Market
Sundays at the First Horizon Pavilion, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

• Ode to Food
  The market celebrates local produce with dedicated festivals for strawberries, peaches, blueberries, and tomatoes during peak seasons. Join events like the Top Tomato Bloody Mary tasting or the annual blueberry pie eating contest.
• Live Music
  The EPB stage showcases local talent and Grammy winners, drawing bands en route from Atlanta to Nashville. Located at the pavilion's back, the music creates a vibrant shopping atmosphere that echoes to the parking lot.
• Waffle Sandwiches, Pizza, and Empanadas!
  Savor diverse street food from vendors like Good Dog Hot Dogs, The Yellow Deli, and Lupi's Pizza, plus food trucks offering waffle sandwiches, empanadas, Southern BBQ, and authentic Mexican fare. Pair with beer, wine, or fresh lemonade.
• Free Samples
  Taste complimentary bites from specialty vendors: fresh bread from Bluffview Bakery, jams from Daylilies, Zocalo's Rojo salsa, Bonnie Blue goat cheese, and Robin's Creative Cakes sweets. Beware—one taste may lead to purchases.
• Unique Gifts for Hard-to-Please Shoppers
  Handpicked vendors offer original items like tie-dyed onesies, hand-turned wooden bowls, sundresses, jewelry, pottery, photography, hand-painted furniture, metal artwork, lotions, and bath salts.
• Do Good While Shopping
  Support local farmers and artisans, plus charities—the market donates ~$200,000 seasonally. Highlights include Jack's Chattanoogins, a head-shaving event for kids with cancer that raised nearly $40,000 last year.
• Grass-Fed Meats
  Discover local, free-range options from Barton Creek, Sheerlock, Tennessee Grass Fed Farm (lamb, beef, pork), and Dazi Acres (Cornish Cross chickens, heritage hogs).
• Top Chef Showdowns
  Watch demos from Chattanooga's top chefs, including the Beast Feast BBQ competition, Five Star Food Fight, and Cast Iron Cook-Off using market ingredients.
• The Farmers Themselves
  Chat with growers of conventional, organic, or hydroponic produce. Learn about their methods—they love sharing stories (and seasonal corn).
• Grab-and-Go Foods
  Enjoy ready-to-eat treats like kettle corn, German pretzels, Taiwanese pork buns, Rosemary Knoll tapenades and pestos, or heat-and-eat entrées from The Chef and His Wife. Perfect for coolers and post-vacation meals.