Food as a Verb is proud to share some very, very good news.

This spring, a new Saturday farmers' market opens at Montague Park, according to an announcement this week.

It's called the Highland Park Local Market, or HILO.

"A new kind of farmer's market," its founders said.

The hours are delightful; finally, a true weekend green market for this city: every Saturday, from 9 am to noon, at the Montague Park Sculpture Fields on the corner of 23rd and Polk streets.

"Our vision is taking the traditional farmers market model one step further and transforming it into a true local market, one that reflects the cultures and needs of the people who already bring this park to life." the HILO folks said.

Their work has been unfolding with quiet, behind-the-scenes resilience for months. This is no easy task, but this market is most needed. The Main Street Farmers' Market is foundational, yet only meets on Wednesday afternoon.

Our city's big enough for both a Wednesday and Saturday true farmers' market.

But who would plan it? There was lots of talk: the city, others. But in the end, it took a few no-quit citizens who kept their sleeves rolled up and wouldn't let go of this vision.

Food as a Verb will have an in-depth story later this winter.

Vendor spots are open. Interested? Fill out this vendor interest form or email market@hilochatt.com.

• This Christmas, an idea: what if we spent our money on gifts rooted in our community, that strengthen our community?

Here's our holiday "Buy Chattanooga, For Chattanooga" gift guide.  

We're proud to spotlight our partners as ethical, engaged and wholesome members of this grand community, all of which are doing uplifting work. Local ingredients? Local artists? Local chefs and farmers and builders? Yes.

"In our crazy world of overconsumption and overproduction, I think food makes the greatest gift," said Pepper Raper, Rock City's public relations manager.

"It's something that people can use, usually supports small businesses and farms, and can add to family traditions."

Love that.

Clumpies Ice Cream Co. released its holiday cheer flavors in stores and online.

Chocolate Orange. Dasher's Delight. Gingersnap. Mexican Hot Chocolate. Spiked Eggnog. White Chocolate Peppermint Bark.

All of these can be delivered locally or shipped within two days anywhere in the continental US.

Visit Clumpies to place your order. Remember: all Clumpies ice cream is made within a beautiful cow-to-cone process.

• Don't forget Adelaide Naumann's Divine Goods. This woman-owned-and-led business curates gift boxes from artists and vendors across the country.

• Or, a gift card from Lupi's Pizza Pies, which celebrates its 30th year in 2026 as the cornerstone pizza place in Chattanooga.

Or Easy Bistro & Bar, recently awarded a Michelin-recognition.

Or Calliope, named a top 50 restaurant in the US.

Or Imbibe. (Wine is a spiritual thing.)

Or Little Coyote, also named a Michelin-worthy restaurant.

Or a membership at Reflection Riding.

Or, reserve your seats at Mac's Kitchen and Bar's New Year's Eve dinner.

This is fabulous news; we can't wait for Mac's to re-open in 2026.

Visit our friends at Niedlov's Bakery & Cafe and pick up a Rouge loaf, our region's only local loaf of bread. Say hi to Shannon Stewart, one of the warmest, kindest people in the city.

And pre-order for your Christmas menu: cranberry cheesecake, Dutch apple pie, or Stollen, the old-school German loaf.

Walk next door to Main Street Meats, also named a Michelin-awarded restaurant, and pre-order for your Christmas menu. (The deadline is Friday.)

Near Signal Mountain? Stop by or visit online Pruett's Market, the "grocery store of the community", for its holiday menu and catering.

And, pick up a bottle of wine from our good friend Bill.

• Now, the big present idea that promises to be a showstopper.

Monospace + Spice Trail = an unforgettable Sunday.

Our good friend Chef Sujata Singh has partnered with the fabulously creative Monospace team for a very special winter dinner experience.

This Sunday, Monospace's final dinner series of the year unfolds at Miller Plaza with a free daytime show featuring "a textural, immersive winter performance lineup."

"Ambient, experimental and noise artists Austyn Wohlers, Slow Blink and Atonal Drift," Monospace offered.

All afternoon, an à la carte bar and food menu will be offered.

Then, the finale.

A "five-course winter-warmer Indian dinner" authored by Chef Singh that features DJ Allie Bashuk.

"Expect an evening of deep flavor, warmth, texture, and delight as Sujata shares her expressive interpretation of winter through food," Monospace said.

Tickets can be found here.

What's Monospace? We asked the same question this summer. (Here's our answer.)

In short: it's fabulous.

Still shopping?

• You can always buy some Food as a Verb merch. Our new online store opened last week.

Everybody looks good in our gear!

• Finally, we admit: December can be bumpy and rough at times.

This Sunday, we'll do our best to offer some goodness and light with a story told straight from the heart of compassion,as a Christmas star shines bright over a duplex kitchen in Hixson.

Story ideas, questions, feedback? Interested in partnering with us? Email: david@foodasaverb.com

This story is 100% human generated; no AI chatbot was used in the creation of this content.

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