Did you know that there are regulations in place that make it illegal for small farmers to slice and sample a watermelon at a TENNESSEE FARMERS' MARKET? 

For bakers to serve fresh bagels, breads, or cookies without each one being individually wrapped? 

Adding syrups to coffee or squeezing fresh juice to make lemonade under a tent without a food cart?

Did you know reheating fully-cooked carnitas on a flat-top for tacos or frying an empanada requires a food truck? 

Items as simple as granola must be pre-packaged, rather than being scooped from a bulk bin to reduce plastic waste.

Did you know it is against regulation to sample spice blends, sauces, or imported olive oil without each sample being fully enclosed and packaged in a certified kitchen first?

What if we told you that at a “SPECIAL EVENT” in Tennessee, such as a festival or fair, all of these scenarios are considered perfectly safe and legal due to their  “special event” status?

In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, after Governor Bill Lee declared our TN farmers’ markets an essential services, local farmers’ markets flourished and further solidified their place as vital pieces of our communities’ fabrics. The markets became vibrant, open-air, weekly community gatherings where families could safely shop for groceries, grab hot meals when restaurants were closed, and safely visit with friends and neighbors. 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—cultures where food is served hot and fresh instead of cold and packaged in plastics.

Our goal at The Tennessee Food & Farming Alliance is to amend state laws to better support and empower local small farmers and food entrepreneurs so that they meet the current market demands.  Let our small Tennessee farmers safely sample their fresh farm produce, meats, and cheeses, and allow our local chefs and food establishments to safely and legally prepare and serve food from under pop-up canopy tents.

Other states, like Virginia, and metropolitan areas such as Austin, TX, have created policy changes that allow for safe food handling at farmers’ markets. We know Tennessee can, too.

Accomplishing this will (1) cut-back on our local health departments’ workloads which are often already over-burdened, and (2) lessen the economic burdens that Tennessee farmers and small businesses already face.

To learn more about how we plan to accomplish this, visit our website. To show your support:

1. Sign this petition!
2. Share it on all social media channels and with your contacts who can create meaningful change.
3. Contact your local city council members and TN state representatives and tell them you want to amend laws that over-regulate TN farmers' markets.