As it’s been a little over a week since the Hamilton County mask mandate was released, we have all been trying to get a grasp on everything happening around us. As the market is a non-profit currently run by all volunteers and an all-farmer board, we are doing our best to take into consideration all aspects of the market when making any decisions. When the market moves locations, its because we have to in order to optimize the experience for both customers and vendors.

Our recent move to Chattanooga Brewing’s parking lot has been an asset in the market remaining open during the pandemic when other city events were shut down. Although the parking lot is somewhat restricting on how many vendors we can hold and providing ample space for customers to keep six feet, there are so many more positives to our new home. Just as when you enter anyone’s home, we ask that you respect everyone and everything in it. Please do not smoke. Please have your dogs on leashes. And please, if you can’t keep six feet from others (which is pretty much impossible during our peak hours from 4-5pm) then please wear a mask.

As our mission is to inspire healthy, environmentally responsible lifestyles by fostering relationships within the local food community, we are not policing whether or not you wear a mask. We are not focused on the politics of the mask mandate. We are simply asking that you respect each other’s space. If you wish to shop a more spacious, less crowded yet still bountiful market then we suggest you preorder as much as you can then come to pick up after 5. As you will see many of these farmer/board members at the market, we wanted to take this opportunity to just let you some of our thoughts regarding this stressful time. Please reach out to us on site or email us at Board@mainstfarmersmarket.com

“We all need to be watching out for each other. Wearing a mask is not only for your safety but its for the safety of every one around you and it only works if every one is participating. We are all in this together. “— Sam Phillips, Wheelers Orchard & Vineyard (front & center)

“Masking up says “I’m in this with you”. The do’s and don’ts around us keep changing at an alarming pace as we navigate our way through this unknown called CV19. But that’s just it, WE are navigating OUR way, we are all going through this very confusing time together. In my view, we can be divided and get conquered by this thing or we can conquer it together, but we will not do both. The rules may change again tomorrow and I’m not convinced that anyone really knows what’s up or down, but for right now, I wear the mask because it says I’m in this with you and I want to see us come out on the other side of this thing together.”—Treasurer Lauren LeFever, Ada’s Heritage (far left)

“Although we are an open space and therefore fall under the 2G exception under the mask mandate, a vendor can’t keep six feet from their customer during a transaction and the hustle of the market does not allow much space while hopping from booth to booth. Therefore I wear a breathing barrier when I come into contact with someone who is less than six feet and feels safer with me wearing a mask. I wasn’t for wearing masks (and am still not really) because I don’t like being told what to do and I thrive on seeing and giving smiles, but then I thought it was the polite thing to do. No one wants to cover their face, especially not in the South in July outside in the heat for 2+ hours but we are in this together and I want to make sure our market, farmers, vendors, and customers continue to feel they are in a safe space.”—President Jessie Gantt-Temple, Feathers & Fruit (middle left)

“Wearing a mask demonstrates mutual respect, and each of us making an effort to be a part of the solution. Individual rights do not come without individual responsibilities. Each of us must take responsibility, and show our community that we care about others. We are in this together, and that truly means TOGETHER – each of us an individuals will not get through this without help from our communities. This market is not just a place of business, it is an anchor in our community, and therefore our actions must reflect our conscious choice to show respect for others. Why would we all work so hard to produce healthy food for our community, but not follow suit when it comes to the public health concerns we are faced with?”—Vice President, Padgett Arnold, Sequatchie Cove Creamery (middle right)

“We are all in this together, each farmer and each community member. We work morning noon and night to bring our community the freshest and most healthy food. In order to ensure we keep all of our community members healthy we should all do our part to social distance, wear masks in public with more then 2 people and respect every ones opinions. This is not a political issue this is a public health concern. We are all in this together.”—Secretary Grace Frank, Land To Table Farm (far right)