IV. D. 3. Use of Co-Packing Facilities

Vendor Handbook
1

Chattanooga Market is a producer-only market. Products must be grown, raised, or directly produced by the vendor selling them.

As a general rule, products manufactured in a co-packing facility (a licensed facility that manufactures or packages products on behalf of a vendor) are not permitted, since the final product is produced by someone other than the vendor selling it.

However, use of a co-packing facility does not automatically disqualify a product. Eligibility depends on ingredient ownership, production control, transparency, and alignment with our producer-only mission.

We recognize that regulatory requirements can make it difficult for local farms to create value-added products. In limited circumstances, the Market may approve exceptions that clearly support our mission.

All exceptions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and granted at the Market’s discretion.

Co-packed products may be considered in these two cases:

1. Market Vendor Collaborations

Products developed as a collaboration between two or more active Chattanooga Market vendors may be considered.

Examples may include:

  • Packaged chocolate-covered kettle corn (collaboration between a packaged food vendor and a mobile food unit)

  • Packaged chili mix (collaboration between a packaged food manufacturer and an award-winning chili competitor)

All collaborations:

  • Must be submitted for review prior to production

  • Must clearly align with our producer-only philosophy

  • Are approved for one season only

  • Must be renewed annually

  • May be discontinued at any time if we determine the collaboration undermines the integrity of the Market

2. The 100% Farm Rule

To support sustainable agriculture in our region, we may consider co-packed products that meet all of the following conditions:

  • The product is made using 100% farm-grown ingredients from the applying farm
    (reasonable exceptions: water, sugar, salt, etc.)

  • 100% of the product is manufactured within our permitted geographical region

  • The entire batch is produced exclusively for, and owned entirely by, the farm

  • Ingredient sourcing and manufacturing processes are fully transparent to both the Market and the customer

Examples of acceptable products:

  • Apple cider made entirely from apples grown by the selling orchard

  • Jerky made from the farm’s own livestock

  • Tomato sauce made from the farm’s own tomatoes

Not Permitted

The following arrangements will not be approved:

  • Products based solely on a “secret family recipe” without direct ingredient production or manufacturing by the vendor

  • Private-label products

  • Products manufactured outside our permitted geographic region

Co-Packing Permit Process

All proposed co-packed products must be submitted for review before production begins.

Approved products:

  • Are permitted for one season only

  • Must be renewed annually

  • May be discontinued at the Market’s discretion if we determine the practice compromises our producer-only mission

Additional inspection fees may apply to cover travel and verification costs.

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