Frequently Asked Questions

We began as a co-op in 1970, and have grown into a full grocery and natural foods store owned and operated by Southern Adventist University. We've been a leader in the Greater Chattanooga area for vegetarian and natural foods for over 50 years!

Other than pet food, we are 100% vegetarian! We are a hybrid grocery and natural foods store, so while you can find conventional household staples, we also specialize in the following:

• Meat Substitutes: We carry a HUGE line of meat alternative brands such as Beyond, Companion, Gardein, Impossible, Lightlife, Loma Linda, Morningstar Farms, Tofurky, Vegetarian Plus and Worthington (just to name a few!).
• Natural & Specialty Foods: Throughout the store, you'll find many products that are dairy-free, vegan, plant-based and paleo. Half of aisle 2 is dedicated to shelf-stable gluten-free products, and aisle 10 also has 5 doors dedicated to frozen gluten-free items!
• Bulk Foods: Half of aisle 3 (and its endcap) is dedicated to our large assortment of bulk items, including grains, flours, granola, snacks, nuts and seeds. You'll also find a large section on aisle 4 full of bulk seasonings and spices! Don't forget about our freshly ground nut butters on both aisles, including peanut, almond and cashew butters!
• Vitamins, Supplements and Natural Body Care: The entirety of aisle 5 is full of 100% vegetarian vitamins and supplements (we don't carry gelatin-based items (except pet food), nor animal-derived supplements such as shark cartilage or fish oils <<< we have vegetarian omega-3 supplements!). You'll also find bulk herbs and assorted teas (aisle 8 has even more tea selections). On aisle 6, you'll find a wide assortment of natural body care items including essential oils, and oral, skin and other topical products.
• Mennonite Produce: Between late April and early November (usually), you can find a large variety of local, Mennonite produce! Tomatoes, leafy greens, corn on the cob, watermelon, and other fruits and veggies are restocked every Wednesday around 3:00p*!

                  *times and selection vary based on availability from the farm

• Vegetarian Deli: Our deli serves a variety of vegetarian foods including hot entrees and sides, hot & cold sandwiches, desserts, soups and a large salad bar! Click here to view the current menu!

Because we are owned by the Seventh-day Adventist church, we close early on Friday (4:00p) and Saturday in observance of the Sabbath. We open up again on Sundays at 9:00a.

This capability requires a sophisticated and powerful website that is logistically very complicated to run. This site serves as an overview of what we offer, but we are happy to answer your questions over-the-phone (423-236-2300), or you can message us at villagemarket@southern.edu.

This ties in with the question above, and unfortunately we do not offer these services.

No, we are not a vegan store, but vegetarian (pet food excluded). We specialize in selling a wide variety of dairy-free and vegan products, but we also sell eggs, dairy milk, cheese and butter.

If it's in our distribution circles, most likely! We love the fact that you can talk directly to our buyers and ask them to bring in new items on a trial run. If it sells well enough, we'll permanently keep it on our shelves! (a handful of our products were brought in this way!)

Mennonite produce is restocked every Wednesday in the afternoon. We drive over to the farm and pick up a new order in the morning, and the table is (usually) restocked around 3:00p. Please note that Mennonite produce is seasonal and only available between late April and early November.

Clark's Bakery delivers Tuesday afternoons around 4:00p, and Wednesday evenings around 7:30p.

Our policies page can be found by clicking here.