Hello Friends,
We are so pleased to support the opening of the Smyrna Depot Farmers Market. Carpe Artista administrates the Farmers Market and as the CEO of Carpe Artista I wanted to make you aware of the heart of our organization as we navigate the reopening of the market, this coming Saturday.
Many of you may not be aware that our Farmers Market was recognized by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, as one of the top farmers markets last year, in the State of Tennessee. This is largely due to the passionate and diligent work of our Market Coordinator, Nikki Sasser and her new Assistant Coordinator, Elaine Sutherland. You see their results during the summer months, but they are working behind the scenes all year long.
Nikki and Elaine have continued working during the pandemic shut down to find ways to continue with Market plans. They are pleased to open a few weeks earlier than usual, so you can take advantage of early season produce.
These are the ways they have planned for the opening.
- Communication with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and with other area Farmers Market Coordinators.
- Great consideration of the safe practice guidelines when creating the temporary plan.
- Excellent communication with vendors and patrons.
Thank you to Nikki and Elaine for your hard work!
We have also been in conversation with our town leadership, while moving forward with the opening. We are thankful to Mike Moss, with the Parks and Recreation Department and our Town Manager, Brian Hercules for allowing us to move forward as scheduled.
There have been many comments regarding the practices that we are having to observe, based on the State guidelines for reopening retail locations.
I want to point out that these practices are temporary and a pathway back to more normal operation. We do not want to mandate safe practices for patrons, but rather strongly encourage you to adopt the practices. Please check our social media to keep up with the latest information.
One of our big motivating factors for continuing with the scheduled reopening is to assure that the local farmers have the means to get their product into the hands of customers. It is essential to their economic survival. Let’s support them!
We know that the Farmers Market is important to many of you in our community. For you to have a central place where you can go to purchase quality local produce and unique, locally made products. You value the true meaning of “shopping local” and we appreciate that. Our Carpe Cafe and all the other business in the Depot District like to see you when you come as well.
We are looking forward to the opening weekend of the Smyrna Depot Farmers Market. We thank you for supporting the Market & our local vendors.
Ron Alley, CEO of Carpe Artista