Top 10 Farmers Markets in Metro Atlanta

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Top 10 Farmers Markets in Metro Atlanta
April 16, 2011
by Eden Godbee
11 Alive

ATLANTA -- It's springtime in the South, which means flowers are in bloom, pollen counts are high, and fruits and veggies are fresh.

Along with Waffle Houses and Chick-fil-As, Atlantans can find farmers market just around the corner. Here are the Top 10 Farmers Markets in the metro area.

1. Sweet Auburn Curb Market
This farmers market is a staple in one of Atlanta's oldest neighborhoods, the Old Fourth Ward. Open Monday - Saturday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., this market offers everything from gluten-free pastries to fresh fish. The market is also home to a host of restaurants including Grindhouse Burgers and Miss D's New Orleans Pralines. Variety isn't something this market is lacking. Parking is free with a validated ticket. The market is located at 209 Edgewood Avenue Southeast.

2. Morningside Farmers' Market
The Morningside Famers Market is situated across from Alon's Bakey in the Virginia Highland neighborhood and has been there since the late 1980s. This farmers market began as a farmer cooperative and continues to only sell local, organic produce to market goers. Like clockwork, the market begins business every Saturday in the spring at 8 a.m. and shuts down around 11:30 a.m. Everything from organic soaps, herbs, flowers and pies can be found here. Neighborhood parking is available nearby. The market is located at 1391 N. Highland Avenue.

3. East Atlanta Village Farmers Market
Housed in the parking lot of the Village Hardware store, this farmers market is home to five independent farmers. This farmers market is known for its fresh produce, artisan cheeses and grass-fed beef from Farm House Beef. In addition to offering an expansive selection of food for humans, this market is home to Taj Mahound, a canine barkery....ahem, bakery. This market is open every Thursday from May until November from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Village Hardware is located at 1231 Glenwood Avenue Southeast. Neighborhood parking is free.

4. Decatur Farmers Market
This famers market sits across the street from the beautiful DeKalb Courthouse and is open-year round on Wednesday and Saturday. The Decatur Farmers Market features a unique "list-o-vendors" that posts its blog, bi-weekly, and lists the market's offerings for Wednesday and Saturday. In addition to itsweekly blog, its website lists a comprehensive itemization of vendors, complete with their names and websites, for shoppers who want to purchase organics on an off day. Shoppers seem to enjoy this market because of its abundant selection, scenic backdrop and prime location in the city center of Decatur. Metered parking is available.

5. Piedmont Park Green Market
Starting May 7 and continuing through December 10, the Piedmont Park Conservancy will host its Green Market, which features locally grown produce, artisan cheeses, farm fresh meats, local coffee and tea, live music and live demos. This ITP favorite is hosted by the City of Atlanta's Parks and Recreation Department along with the Department of Cultural Affairs. This year will mark Piedmont Park's eighth year painting the park green. So, after your Saturday run don't forget to cash-in on the great savings and organically certified produce and meats offered at this market. Covered and neighborhood parking is available. Piedmont Park is located on Tenth Street between Monroe Drive and Juniper Street.

6. Athens Farmers Market
The Athens Farmers Market, which is held on two days in two different locations, has a couple of unique vendors like Antonia's Fresh Pasta and Empandas and Other Favorite Things. Although unconventional, the market still carries crops from about 17 North Georgia farmers. Typically, this market is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until noon and Tuesdays from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. but they're known to sell out before then. Shoppers can also dine at a number of "local and sustainable" lunch carts. On Saturdays, the farmers market is held at Bishop Park and at Little Kings on Tuesday. Bishop Park is located at Hawthorne Ave and Oglethorpe Avenue and Little Kings Shuffle Club is located at 223 W. Hancock Ave in Athens. Free parking is provided.

7. Brookwood Farmers Market
Mini maple pies, rain barrels and Hawaiian shaved ice are a couple of treats you'll find at the Brookwood Farmers Market. The BFM offers a host of world foods, from salsa and tamales to masala from Seasonest. Ambitious shoppers, foodies and townspeople can come together and "shop in harmony" every Friday from 4PM until 7 p.m., rain or shine. This farmers market is set to open on May 20. On opening day, the market will hold an opening day ceremony hosted by gymnasts from Gymnastics World of Georgia and performers from the Music Matters RockU Program. The market is being held at Brookwood Elementary, which is located at 2980 Vaughn Drive in Cumming, Georgia. Free neighborhood parking will be available.

8. Farmers Atlanta Road Market
The Farmers Atlanta Road Market or F.A.R.M. is open every Tuesday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. every Tuesday at the Saint Benedicts Episcopal Church. The F.A.R.M. is open year-round and is home to a host a local family farms, artisan food crafters and gardeners. This market is a favorite among neighbors because of its mid-week schedule. Every week, this market has a "healthy" showing of local shoppers. F.A.R.M was developed by St. Benedict's Episcopal Church and is located at the church. The church sits at the intersection of Atlanta Road and East West Connector. Neighborhood parking is free.

9. Dunwoody Green Market
On the cusp of its fifth year, the Dunwoody Green Market is open and in full effect. This market is open April through November on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. until noon. Only growers and producers can participate in this market so it primarily offers seasonal vegetables, fruits, local honey, free-range eggs, organic beef, pork and heritage poultry. The market also features cured meats and artisan cheese. All produce vendors grow using organic methods and most are Certified Naturally Grown or Organic. The market is located next to the Dunwoody Village Post Office at 1551 Dunwoody Village Parkway in Dunwoody. Parking is available on-site.

10. Peachtree Road Farmers Market
Sponsored by the Cathedral of St. Phillip, the Peachtree Road Farmers Market is home to many of the of the food trucks gaining popularity in the Atlanta area. In addition to being the "trendsetter" of inTown farmers markets this market offers many local and organic fruit and vegetables from an array of growers. Atlantans look forward to this market, all week, for treats you can't find at any other farmers market, like: Unforgettable Pound Cakes, Westside Creamery, Souper Jenny, Native Juice Bar and Dubberly's Seafood. This market is open every Saturday, 8:30 a.m. until noon, from April until December. Limited on-site parking is available.



Also, some honorable mentions:

O4W: inTown Farmers Market
The inTown Farmers Market, located in O4W, is known for its heirloom varieties which one of the draws to this market for the "inTown folks." I can't think of anywhere else the "artsy" population of Atlanta can buy a heart shaped tomato or a purple head of cauliflower; talk about a selling point. In-season, this famers market is open every Tuesday, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. however, it hasent specified an open day. Contact Matt Liotta for more information at (404) 925-6725.

ATLANTA: East Lake Farmers Market
The East Atlanta Farmers Market is located at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Hosea Williams Drive. This farmers market features organically harvested vegetables, fair trade teas, local flowers, freshly baked breads, sweet Georgia peaches and free range chickens. Visit the market every Saturday from May until October starting at 9 a.m.

FLOWERY BRANCH: Spout Springs Library Farmers Market
If you want the "freshest Georgia produce available", come to the Spout Springs Library Farmers Market. This market, which is sponsored by the Hall County Library System, starts in Mid-June. It's held every Thursday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. The market is located in the Spout Springs Library Parking Lot at 6488 Spout Springs Road in Flowery Branch.

MARIETTA: Marietta Square Farmers Market
Marietta Square holds a weekly famers market on Saturday mornings from April until November. The market starts at 9AM and ends at noon every Saturday. Market staples include squeezed to order lemonade/ limeade at Callan's Lemonade Stand and pimento cheese from Cuisine on the Run. The Historic Marietta Square is located on Church Street.

SANDY SPRINGS: Sandy Springs Farmers Market
According to the website, the Sandy Springs Farmers Market offers "freshly brewed coffee while you enjoy a crepe cooked right before your eyes, or an artisan pizza incorporating local ingredients is prepared for you." The market is located at 235 Sandy Springs Circle in Sandy Springs, Georgia and is held on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. until noon.

MIDTOWN: Midtown Market
The Midtown Market sits on the corner of Tenth and Peachtree at 999 Peachtree Street Plaza. Shoppers can shop for "local organic produce and other items in the plaza." The market is held every Wednesday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.