Jane Schnelle

Meet Jane, one of our amazing volunteers and supporter of the HIP Donelson Farmers Market.

Jane retired three years ago and has since devoted her time and energy to giving back through local volunteer work. She is actively involved with several organizations, including FiftyForward and DuPont Hadley Middle School where she helps maintain community spaces by picking up litter and caring for flowers.

Jane is also a familiar face at the Old Hickory Farmers Market. A passionate advocate for local food and community connection, she helped establish the HIP Donelson Farmers Market alongside Frank Trew during her time as Director of FiftyForward. Her continued work with the Hip D team brings her great joy, especially through her involvement in the Pop Club where she delights in watching children try fresh fruits and vegetables, often for the very first time.

Jane’s enthusiasm for local vendors shines through in her support of favorites like Gina’s Italian Cuisine, Nash Creek Farm and of course, the Hip Donelson community itself.

Nicolette Hernandez

Meet Nicolette One of our newest volunteers and a familiar face at the Hip Donelson Farmers Market!

Originally from Southern California, she moved to Donelson in 2022 searching for a fresh start and fell in love with the sense of community.

After two eye surgeries that got her back behind the wheel, she rolled into 2025 ready give back. Now she’s holding it down at the Info Booth most Fridays—welcoming folks, answering questions and filling her market tote with her favs: Italy Bread Co., Roast & Brews, Summit Sisters Coffee, and Butterbean Farm. Oh, and she just might convince you to grab one of our cute market totes while you’re at it!

Laurie Cathey

Laurie Cathey is a 4th generation Donelsonite!

At one time, Laurie's great-grandfather owned a dairy farm where Briley Parkway now runs. She actually grew up in the house next door to our Naomi Regensburg. Rumor has it that the worst punishment her parents could hand out was to keep Laurie from visiting Miss Naomi!⁣

On Friday's you will find Laurie helping in the Information Tent. She enjoys seeing all our regular market attendees, especially the furry kind (we're looking at you, Savannah!) Laurie has many vendors she likes to support each week but her hands down favorite is Hot Sauce Nashville. She likes all the flavors but claims the green sauce goes on everything! When you get a chance, please stop by and say thank you to Laurie for volunteering each week!⁣

Naomi Regensburg

Each Friday you will see Naomi in the Information Tent at the Market. If anyone knows their Market stuff, it's Naomi!

Naomi assisted at the very first Hip Donelson Farmers Market way back in the day when it was first held at the Donelson Fifty Forward Center. She survived the hot summers when the Market was held on the surface of the sun (Ace Hardware parking lot) and is still going strong at our current location with all the wonderful grass and shady trees! Naomi was also one of the first members of the Board of Directors for Hip Donelson.

When asked why she has volunteered for so many years, Naomi said "I just enjoy working with the other volunteers, the vendors and all our customers" and she gets first shot at the tomatoes in season. We'd love to have you stop by the Information Tent and say "Thank you".

Jenny Anderson White

Each Friday you will see Jenny waving and welcoming you to the market. Jenny and her husband Kent have lived in Donelson for 20+ years. She is a member of the Board of Directors for Hip Donelson, President of the Lincoya Hills Neighborhood Association and a Realtor® with Parks. "My goal every Friday is to make sure each person who comes to our market feels welcome!" Be sure to give her a smile and wave back. She loves that!

Her favorite item to buy at the market: Cherry tomatoes from Spring Oak Farm.

Rob Barett

Meet Rob, One of our dedicated volunteers and supporter of the Hip Donelson Farmers Market!

After becoming the Director of Interpretive Programming and Education for Tennessee State Parks, Rob and his partner made the move to Tennessee. They landed in Donelson five years ago and instantly fell in love with the neighborhood and especially the market. Volunteering felt like a natural next step for someone who values living in a community where people show up and make things better.

Since then, his fellow volunteers have become close friends and Friday nights at the market have become a treasured tradition. This season, his kitchen has been all about Cherokee purple tomato sandwiches on sourdough and a mean ratatouille, both made with nearly 90% market produce. And if you’re wondering about market favorites… let’s just say roasted figs from Gina’s Italian Cuisine are a must.

You’ll find Rob at the market most Fridays, swapping recipes, chatting with vendors, and probably trying to convince you to take home a tote bag or two.

Martha Lopez⁣⁣

Martha and her family moved to the Donelson area in 2012 from North Carolina, after serving in the Marine Corps. A native of south Texas, Martha started volunteering at the Hip D Farmers Market in 2018. Usually found in the parking area behind the Two Rivers Mansion, Martha is quite the multi-tasker! Not only can she eat a cookie AND direct traffic, she is PTO president of McGavock High School (Go Raiders!) this year and never fails to lend a hand at Two Rivers Middle School. Martha gives "props to Nicole Valentine for roping me into helping at the Market. Once I started, I was hooked"!⁣
⁣
Martha stays pretty busy parking and directing traffic and doesn't get to shop much but her favorite vendor is Love Fest Lemonade. Please say "Hi" and "Thank You" as you safely leave the Market each Friday!⁣

Todd Salter

Todd landed in Donelson 10 years ago while on his journey to find an area with small town values that would be just a short drive to all things Nashville. He found all that in Hip Donelson plus quick and easy access to enjoy the greenway system, sports parks and waterways.⁣
⁣
Todd started out volunteering on our Market parking and teardown teams then graduated to setup and trailer transport. You will now find him (and his handsome wolf boy, Kürne) at our Information Booth answering your questions and selling Hip D Market swag!⁣
⁣
Please stop by and say hello and thank you to Todd this week. He does want you to know you can still grab this year's exclusive Hip Donelson Farmers Market t-shirt ($15), reusable canvas tote ($5) or decal sticker ($1) from now until the market closes on October 29. Kurne wants you to know that all proceeds go to HIP Donelson and support community programs throughout the year.

Nicole Valentine Vaughn

Nicole has been showing off her mad radio skills at the Market since the summer of 2017. She was inspired to join the Hip D Farmers Market Volunteer team by her friends Maria Mauthe and the late Frank Trew.

Nicole feels that the Market is the best place to hangout in Donelson whether in spring, summer or fall. "We’re open 6 months out of the year and I enjoy spending time with my market friends and seeing my Donelson friends all season". Because she is so nice, Nicole struggled answering the question of “Who is your favorite market vendor?” She finally said "I love many vendors but @zulemaskitchen has become like family to me".

Each Friday you will find Nicole behind the Two Rivers Mansion telling people where to park their car, all the while sporting her signature smile. Please smile back and say thank you as she guides you safely into the back parking lot this week.