Every Signature Counts

Support TN Farmers’ Markets and Food Safety without Over-Regulation

Our goals at The Tennessee Food & Farming Alliance are simple— (1) to amend state laws that will allow small TN farmers to sample their fresh farm produce, meats, and cheeses, at TN farmers’ markets, and (2) to allow our local chefs and food establishments to prepare and serve food from under pop-up canopy tents without sacrificing food safety:

OBJECTIVES:

  1. We aim to clearly define the partnerships between TDH, TDA, and TN farmers’ market organizers to ease confusion, reduce the inconsistencies among metro Nashville health department warnings.

  2. We hope to accomplish this through a series of listening sessions that will include stakeholders from TDH, TDA, and TN farmers’ markets across the state.

  3. We hope to write an MOU—a Memorandum of Understanding—to define how TDA , TDH, and TN farmers’ market managers will work together while also laying out each one's expectations and responsibilities.

  4. We feel defining a Tennessee “farmers market” under State law as its own entity, not as a “special event” or a “non-special event,” will allow us the freedom to serve and sample food legally without ever sacrificing food safety.

WHY:

  1. Cutting-back on our local health departments’ workloads is needed. These city departments are already over-burdened. We aim to make their lives easier, not more difficult.

  2. Small food entrepreneurs and chefs CAN and DO serve safe, delicious food from under pop-up tents without being forced to purchase expensive food carts and trucks.

  3. Farmers sell more products and earn more income when shoppers can sample local fruits, veggies, sausages, cheeses, steaks, etc.

  4. Reducing plastic waste and unnecessary packaging is a better economic choice for small business owners and what their customers want,

BACKSTORY:

In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, after Governor Bill Lee named farmers’ markets essential services, local markets flourished and further solidified their place as vital pieces of our communities’ fabrics. 

The markets became vibrant, open-air, weekly gatherings where families could safely shop for groceries, grab hot meals when restaurants were closed, and safely visit with friends and neighbors outdoors. Various small businesses were born out of financial necessity, and each one brought to the markets an individual flair. Chefs and home-cooks alike from various backgrounds brought the sounds, smells, and flavors of their cultures to our local farmers’ markets—cultures where food is served hot and fresh and not packaged in plastics and pulled from a deli case.

Help us keep our TN farmers’ markets flavorful, vibrant, and lucrative for our small farmers and businesses by signing this petition, contacting your local city council members, and TN state representatives.