The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Your complete guide to metro Atlanta farmers markets
In many communities they continue to operate as essential services, but it’s definitely not business as usual.
Hundreds of Atlanta-area farmers and small food producers count on year-round and seasonal farmers markets to provide an outlet for the goods they produce and a steady source of income.
The good news is that in most communities, local farmers markets have been designated “essential services,” and business is continuing on, although it’s definitely not business as usual.
Sweet Apple Farmers Market tried a drive-thru operation one day. It was a big hit with customers, but concerns over the mix of pedestrians and cars meant the end to the one-day experiment. Many markets have gone to preorders. Farmers and food producers provide a link to preorder and prepay. Then a visit to the market goes quickly, as customers simply pick up their order, with no need to linger, pass forms of payment or muse which head of lettuce is best.
Other markets have spaced the farmers and other vendors 6 feet apart and are providing hand-washing stations throughout their venue, asking farmers to wear gloves and customers to only point at items, which the farm help will pick up and package.
Still, encouraged by the growing interest in buying local, two new markets are opening this year: Oakhurst Farmers Market in Decatur and Halcyon Farmers Market in Alpharetta.
Andrea Ness and Andy Friedberg of Aluma Farm work on a 5-acre property off the Atlanta Beltline’s Westside Trail. On Thursday, they will open their weekly farmers market at their farm stand just off the Beltline (1150 Allene Ave., where the Westside Beltline crosses Allene Avenue) and begin distributing shares from their community supported agriculture, or CSA, program. They’ve also augmented their farm stand sales with the opportunity to preorder (alumafarm.com/preorders-for-pickup). This on-farm market is the only means they have to offset the big losses they’re taking now that restaurant sales have drastically reduced.
Ness says even before the outbreak, the majority of their sales came from their direct-to-theconsumer model, and that’s very important to them. “We came to this site knowing it was a food desert where our neighbors did not have access to fresh healthy food, especially produce. We made it our mission to grow food in the neighborhood and to keep it in the neighborhood.”
The farm is surrounded by the neighborhoods of Adair Park, Capitol View, Capitol View Manor, Sylvan Hills, West End, West View, Pittsburgh and Oakland City. Over their four years on this property, as they surveyed their customers, they learned that 85% came from within a 2-mile radius of the farm, and a third of their shoppers had been in their homes for more than 15 years. “So we’re serving a lot of long-term residents, but we’re also serving young families who want to be sure they get the healthiest food possible for their kids.”
Some residents walk to the farm stand, but others stop on the way home during their evening commute.
And because Ness and Friedberg double SNAP/EBT dollars, they have a steady customer base for whom fresh produce at these prices would be unattainable.
Friedberg adds that they offer a sliding scale CSA. “Members who are able pay above the asking price, and that extra money helps us offer shares at a 40% discount. We do that because we know a lot of people don’t meet the income requirements to get SNAP/EBT benefits but still have barriers to being able to pay full price.”
At the farm stand, and in their CSA, they sell the fruit and vegetables they grow but also offer their own herbal teas and local honey from J.R. Murphy as well as other bee products, including propolis and propolis tincture.
When they open the farm stand this week, they expect to be selling strawberries; greens like kale and collards, lettuce, arugula and cut salad mix; and some specialty items like kohlrabi, escarole and radicchio. These last are vegetables they were growing primarily for their restaurant clients.
“I don’t know that our customers will recognize these or know what to do with them, but all of us who work on the farm are ‘eaters,’ and we’re all ‘cookers.’ We can offer simple recipes right on the spot,” said Friedberg.
It will take a lot of hard work and education to make up the difference in sales now that restaurant clients are closed or have moved to delivery and carryout models that require far less produce. But there has been a bright side. “Demand for our vegetables has skyrocketed. Our preorders have sold out, and the one bright spot in all this is we have the potential this year to feed more of our neighbors than ever before.”
Diane Curtis of MarRay Foods is just starting her second season of selling at local farmers markets. Her business exists because farmers markets make it possible for her to meet her customers face to face, introducing them to her line of spice mixes, vinegars, shrubs and baked goods with their Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors.
“Feedback from my customers has even changed my product mix. One of the items I introduced last September was a baklava spring roll with fig and walnut filling. One of my customers tasted the filling and told me it was so good if I’d put in a jar, she’d buy it. It turned out I couldn’t produce it fast enough. People would buy a half-dozen jars at a time. Now the filling is a finalist in the 2020 University of Georgia Flavor of Georgia competition, and that’s a direct result of interaction with people at a farmers market.”
Curtis is hopeful the markets will be up in full force this year and soon. She’s selling at the Decatur Farmers Market and East Atlanta Village Farmers Market (both markets she participated in last year), and she just added the Green Market at Piedmont Park.
One of the things she appreciates is how hard the market managers work to develop a good mix of vendors. “The managers do a great job of making sure there isn’t a lot of overlap, no identical products. They recognize, as we do, that it’s a vendor community, with the emphasis on ‘community.’ We’re not in competition. We’re all in this together.”
Alpharetta Farmers Market
Opening date to be determined; Saturdays: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
North and South Broad streets in front of City Center alongside the Town Green, alpharettafarmersmarket.com What’s new? Last year, the market moved to a new location alongside Alpharetta’s new Town Green. Free parking is available in the City Center and Milton Avenue parking decks, at Alpharetta Baptist Church on Old Roswell Street and in spaces that line the streets. There’s also easy pedestrian access across Main Street.
Avondale Estates Farmers Market
Opening date to be determined; Sundays: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
22 N. Avondale Road, Avondale Estates, avondaleestatesfarmersmarket.org What’s new? The Avondale Estates Farmers Market features local produce and growers, homemade baked items, handcrafted goods and prepared foods. It handpicks its Georgia-based vendors to give you a unique variety of items to shop each week. When the market is able to open, enjoy live music while you stock up on your groceries and visit with your neighbors. The market is open rain or shine.
Brookhaven Farmers Market
Opening date to be determined; Saturdays: 9 a.m.-noon
1375 Fernwood Circle, Brookhaven, brookhavenfarmersmarket.com What’s new? There will be more than 40 vendors, both new and returning, at the market this year.
Castleberry Farmers Market
Opens April 13; Mondays, 4-7 p.m. 23 Larkin Place, Atlanta, castleberryhill. org/castleberry-hill-farmers-market What’s new? This is the first full year for the Castleberry Farmers Market, which launched last September. Opening day will include music from guitarist Isaiah Greer and a food demo by Natalie Fisher of The Loco Coco Eats. The market doubles SNAP/EBT benefits. Farmers include Westside Growers, Mena’s Farm and Local Lands; value-added producers include My Mom’s Pie, Dancin’ Salmon, Russell’s Gourmet Coffee and We Three Girls; and Kids-R-Chefs should be at the opening market.
Cotton Mill Farmers Market
Open year-round; Saturdays: 9-11 a.m. until social distance rules are lifted, then full market hours of 8 a.m.-noon will resume.
609 Dixie St., Carrollton, cottonmillfarmersmarket.org
What’s new? The Cotton Mill market is one of Georgia’s longest-running markets, now in its 19th year. Vendors are all from Carroll County or an adjacent county, or within a 50-mile radius. The market offers produce, meat, cheese, baked goods, honey, jams and arts and crafts. SNAP/EBT benefits are doubled through the Georgia Fresh for Less program.
Coweta County Farmers Market
Opens June 6; Wednesdays and Saturdays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Saturday market is at the Asa M. Powell Senior Expo Center, 197 Temple Ave., Newnan.
Wednesday market is on the courthouse square in downtown Newnan. mainstreetnewnan.com/p/events/296 What’s new? Thanks to a Farmers Market grant from AgSouth farm credit, the market will give away 200 vegetable plants on opening day. The market’s vendors will be selling locally grown fruit and vegetables, homemade jams and jellies, as well as goat milk soap and lotion. There will be cut flowers, fresh baked bread, honey, mushrooms and naturally raised pork. Free-range chicken and duck eggs will also be for sale.
Decatur Farmers Market
Opening date to be determined; Wednesdays: 4-7 p.m.
308 Clairmont Ave., Decatur, cfmatl. org/decatur/
What’s new? This market is organized by Community Farmers Markets. Until its markets can open on a regular schedule, it is offering online shopping. Order a la carte from local farms and businesses, and pick up your items at the farmers market. “Stay tuned as we adapt our distribution model to keep our staff, vendors and community members as safe as possible, while still providing outlets for local farmers and vendors to sell their goods.” Until regular operations resume, pickup of online sales is available beginning from 4-6 p.m. April 15. Check the market website before ordering to be sure the pickup location has not changed.
Dunwoody Farmers Market
Opening date to be determined, possibly May 23; Saturdays: 8:30 a.m.-noon Brook Run Park, 4770 N. Peachtree Road, Dunwoody, dunwoodyfarmersmkt.com
What’s new? The Dunwoody Farmers Market is held in Dunwoody’s Brook Run Park between the ballfields and playground. The City of Dunwoody Parks & Recreation Department suspended all activities within the parks due to COVID-19 until May 18. The department will reassess the situation weekly, and if things change, it will reopen activities sooner, and the market will open sooner.
East Atlanta Village Farmers Market
Opening date to be determined; Thursdays: 4-8 p.m.
572 Stokeswood Ave. SE, Atlanta, cfmatl.org/eav/
What’s new? This market is organized by Community Farmers Markets. Until its markets can open on a regular schedule, it is offering online shopping. Order a la carte from local farms and businesses, and pick up your items at the farmers market. This market, normally open on Thursdays, will be open on Wednesdays for pickup of online sales. Until regular operations resume, pickup of online sales is available beginning from 4-6 p.m. April 15.
East Point Farmers Market
Open February to December; February through November, Wednesdays: 4-7 p.m.; in December, Wednesdays, 4-6 p.m.
2757 East Point St., East Point, EastPointFarmersMarket.com
What’s new? This market is held one block from the East Point MARTA train station. The market doubles SNAP benefits and has vendors offering fresh breads, meat, herbs, organic nuts and granola, eggs, all-natural skin care and soaps, handmade arts/crafts/jewelry, aromatherapy and more.
Freedom Farmers Market at the Carter Center
Open year-round; Saturdays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. March-December; 9 a.m.-noon January and February
Carter Center, 453 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, freedomfarmersmkt.org What’s new? The market is open rain or shine every Saturday of the year even through the coronavirus pandemic. “Thanks to all our customers for supporting the market over the seven years we have been open. Our farmers continue to grow more to support the demand for clean, local, farm-fresh foods,” said Holly Hollingsworth, market director. When market operations return to normal, the market will celebrate the fruit or veggie of the season on second Saturdays, March-October, and offer live music, kids activities and a pop-up restaurant every Saturday.
Fresh MARTA Markets
cfmatl.org/marta/
What’s new? The Fresh MARTA Markets have not determined locations or schedule for this year. Check the website for updates.
Grant Park Farmers Market
Open year-round; Sundays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Until the market resumes normal operations, it is being held at Eventide Brewery, 1015 Grant St. SE, Atlanta. Main market season opening date to be determined but will be held adjacent to Grant Park at 600 Cherokee Ave., Atlanta. cfmatl.org/grantpark/
Green Market at Piedmont Park
Opening date to be determined; Saturdays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
12th Street and Piedmont Avenue Gate, Atlanta, piedmontpark.org/green-market/
What’s new? When the market is open for regular operations, it will be welcoming many new vendors, including Circle A Farms, Timpson Creek Farm, MarRay Foods, Kazaro-Brazilian cheese bread, Lalos Handmade Hot Sauce, Low-Co Motion, Ginger Yum, Oh So Fitting, Nature’s Squares and ELFI Design. The market will also continue to feature local musicians, interactive exhibits and chef demonstrations. While the city of Atlanta has restrictions on gatherings in place, the market is only offering preorder pickup at the market location in Piedmont Park.
Halcyon Farmers Market
Opens May 5; Tuesdays: 4-7 p.m.
6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, facebook.com/events/253584268968692
What’s new? This new market in south Forsyth County will include at least 25 vendors focused on locally grown and produced foods and wellness items. Priority will be given to farmers who use sustainable growing practices, and there will be free parking available in the 1,200-space parking deck adjacent to the site.
Heritage Sandy Springs Museum and Park Farmers Market
Opening date to be determined; Saturdays: 8:30 a.m.-noon through Sept. 26; 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 3-Dec. 12
City Springs, Galambos Way, heritagesandysprings.org/3485-2/community-events/hss-farmers-market/
What’s new? The market will still be adjacent to City Springs, the government center for the city of Sandy Springs, but on Galambos Way. Check the website for information on the market’s 2020 vendors.
Historic Downtown Acworth Farmers Market
Opens May 15; Fridays: 8 a.m.-noon Logan Farm Park, 4405 Cherokee St., Acworth, acworthparksandrecreation. org
What’s new? The market, sponsored by the Acworth Downtown Development Authority, is held at Logan Farm Park. The market offers a traditional mix of folks selling vegetables, eggs, honey, baked goods, jams and jellies, beauty products, bedding plants, locally roasted coffee, mushrooms and goat cheese.
Jonesboro Farmers Market
Opens May 16; Wednesdays: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Saturdays: 8 a.m.-noon
155 Lee St., Jonesboro, jonesboroga. com
What’s new? The Jonesboro Farmers Market is attracting more vendors and urban farmers to the market this year. There is no charge for farmers/vendors to participate at the market, which makes the market unique. The market’s vendors include urban farmers with a variety of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, cottage food vendors with an array of homemade products and a handful of vendors selling houseplants and vegetable seedlings to start your backyard garden. All items sold at the market must be Georgia grown or homemade. In normal times, UGA Clayton County Master Gardener Extension volunteers are at every market day sharing Extension gardening information. The market will also continue its live food preparation/nutrition demonstrations on occasional market days.
Kennesaw Farmers Market
Opens May 4; Mondays: 3:30-7:30 p.m. Public parking lot, near Adams Park, 2785 Watts Drive, Kennesaw, facebook. com/KennesawFarmersMarket/
What’s new? Kennesaw Market Mondays will add a makers market component to the farmers market. Once the market opens, it will continue to run in conjunction with the Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority’s Monday night food truck event so visitors can have dinner, shop and enjoy live entertainment from local musicians. Market season runs from May through the end of August, and the market will be closed for Memorial Day.
Lilburn Farmers Market
Spring pop-up market Friday, May 8; market opens June 5; Fridays: 4-8 p.m. 1400 Killian Hill Road, Lilburn, lilburnfarmersmarket.org
What’s new? Celebrating 11 years, the Lilburn Farmers Market continues to bring locally grown and prepared foods to the Lilburn community. The market will continue to offer chef demos by chef Lisa Lowe using ingredients available from its farmers and other vendors. Come watch the demo and take home a new recipe and the ingredients to make it. Looking for dinner options? Barbecue and wood-fired pizza will be available weekly. Other special activities include kids activities, Little Free Library, live music and a chance to meet local community groups and learn about their causes. The market accepts EBT, the electronic version of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. Through Georgia Fresh for Less, Wholesome Wave Georgia matches SNAP/EBT dollars at the market and doubles the amount to purchase fresh, local fruits and vegetables.
Mableton Farmers Market
Open June 4-Aug. 13; Thursdays: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Mable House Complex, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton, mableton.org/mableton-farmers-market/
What’s new? The market opens for its 11th season this year with fresh produce from local small farmers, fresh baked items, honey and cooking demonstrations that show shoppers quick and easy ways to prepare the produce at the market. Cobb & Douglas Public Health will be there to talk about healthy lifestyles programs for families. The market is a licensed SNAP retailer and will offer extra tokens to SNAP customers.
Marietta Square Farmers Market
The Saturday market is suspended until further notice; Saturdays: 9 a.m.-noon Sunday markets opening May 3: noon-3 p.m.
65 Church St., Marietta, mariettasquarefarmersmarket.com
Morningside Farmers Market
Open year-round; Saturdays: 8-11:30 a.m.
1393 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta, morningsidemarket.com
What’s new? This certified organic market is the grandmother of Atlanta-area farmers markets, started in 1995. New vendors this year include Root Baking Co., Pulp, Cradleboard Creations and Thousand Hills Ranch.
Norcross Community Market
Opening date to be determined; Saturdays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Lillian Webb Park, 5 College St., Norcross, facebook.com/norcrosscommunitymarket
What’s new? The market is still working out plans for the year. Subscribe to its newsletter for updates on opening date and operations.
Oakhurst Farmers Market
Opening date to be determined; Saturdays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sceptre Brewing Arts, 630 East Lake Drive, Decatur, cfmatl.org/oakhurst/
What’s new? This is a new market from the Community Farmers Markets, taking the place of the Saturday Decatur Farmers Market. Until the CFM markets can open on a regular schedule, they are offering online shopping. Order a la carte from local farms and businesses, and pick up your items at the farmers market. This market, normally open on Saturdays, will be open on Wednesdays for pickup of online sales. Until regular operations resume, pickup of online sales is available beginning from 4-6 p.m. April 15.
Peachtree City Farmers Market
Open year-round; Wednesdays and Saturdays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aberdeen Village Shopping Center, 215 Northlake Drive, Peachtree City, peachtreecitymarket.com
What’s new? This market, in the heart of Peachtree City, runs year-round rain or shine. “We take pride in offering fresh produce and handcrafted items to our community,” and in normal times, “a place to listen to music, meet friends and support local business,” said Alison Vallee, market manager.
Peachtree Road Farmers Market
Opened April 4; Saturdays: 8:30 a.m.noon
2744 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, peachtreeroadfarmersmarket.com
What’s new? It’s the 14th season for this large producer-only market. Come to the market to shop from more than 50 local vendors. All of the farmers are certified organic or certified naturally grown. When the market returns to normal operations after restrictions on gatherings have been lifted, it will return to offering live music, and chef demos will be held each week at 10 a.m.
Ponce City Farmers Market
Opening date to be determined; Tuesdays: 4-8 p.m.
“The Shed” on the Eastside Beltline trail just outside Ponce City Market, cfmatl. org/poncecity/
What’s new? This market is organized by Community Farmers Markets. Until its markets can open on a regular schedule, it is offering online shopping. Order a la carte from local farms and businesses, and pick up your items at the farmers market. This market, normally open Tuesdays, will be open Wednesdays for pickup of online sales. Until regular operations resume, pickup of online sales is available beginning from 4-6 p.m. April 15. Check the market website before ordering to be sure the pickup location has not changed.
Roswell Farmers and Artisans Market
Opens mid-May, date to be determined; Saturdays: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
City Hall, 38 Hill St., Roswell, roswellfam.com
What’s new? The market offers one-stop shopping for all of your local sustainably grown fruits, veggies, baked goods, honey, fresh cut flowers, handcrafted artisan goods and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits. This year, it will have live music, kids’ activities, live chef demos, ready-to-serve food and free exercise classes throughout the season.
Serenbe Farmers and Artists Market
Opening date to be determined; Saturdays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Selborne Lane, Chattahoochee Hills, serenbefarmersmarket.com
What’s new? While waiting for the market to be able to resume normal operations, Serenbe Farms is offering online orders and drive-thru pickup on the farm. Limited presale items available. Farm stand pickup times are 3:30-5:30 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m.noon Saturdays. When it resumes, the Farmers and Artists Market will offer organic produce, fresh pasta, granola, locally made soaps, textiles and original artwork. There are children’s activities and live music and chef demos. The Art Farm at Serenbe will also offer kids’ crafts and art activities on select dates.
Snellville Farmers Market
October through May: open the first Saturday of each month, 9 a.m.-noon City Hall parking lot, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville
June 6-Sept. 26: Open every Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
On the Town Green in front of Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville snellvillefarmersmarket.com
What’s new? Snellville’s “off-season” market is held on the first Saturday of each month, October-May, 9 a.m.-noon. “We decided to offer this market at the request of some of our vendors who have produce, meats and other products to offer in the offseason. Many customers had also asked us to extend the market season. Our summer season market will offer a nice variety of vendors selling fresh produce, meats, shrimp from the Georgia coast, baked goods, local honey, eggs, cheeses from Georgia dairies, as well as other locally made food products and a small number of local crafts.”
Stone Mountain Farmers Market
Opens May 5; Tuesdays: 4-7 p.m. Municipal Parking Lot, 922 Main St., Stone Mountain, stonemountaincity.org
What’s new? Vendors include CJ Orchards, David’s Garden, Hungarian Pastries, Joaney’s and Pearson Farms. The market will run until Aug. 25.
Suwanee Farmers Market
Opens May 9; May through Sept. 26, every Saturday: 8 a.m.-noon October through April 2021, second Saturday of the month: 9-11 a.m. Suwanee Town Center Park, 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee, suwanee. com/explore-suwanee/events/farmers-market
What’s new? The “offseason” market experiment last year was a success, and the market will continue that for 2020. On May 9, the market will be open from 9 to 11 a.m. The regular season will run through Sept. 26. Then the monthly markets will be in place for the remainder of 2020 and through April 2021.
Sweet Apple Farmers and Artisans Market
Open year-round; Thursdays: 2-5 p.m. 320 Hardscrabble Road, Roswell, facebook.com/SweetAppleFarmersMarket/
What’s new? As with many markets, Sweet Apple is working to find the best ways to keep customers and vendors as safe as possible at the market and has been testing a drive-thru market.
Tucker Farmers Market
Opening date to be determined; Thursdays: 4-8 p.m.
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 4882 LaVista Road, Tucker, tuckerfarmersmarket.com
What’s new? This long-running market moved from Main Street in downtown Tucker to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church last year. There’s plenty of parking in the new location, and on rainy days, the vendors are able to move inside to the church hall.
Vickery Village Farmers Market
Open year-round
Beginning April 2, farmers market open Thursdays: 9 a.m.-noon Beginning April 4, artisan market open Saturdays: 5-7 p.m. Beginning Oct. 31, open Saturdays: 10 a.m.-noon for combined farmers and artisans market
Vickery Village Courtyard, 5920 Post Road, Cumming, facebook.com/ VVFarmersMarket/
What’s new? This is the third year for this market with its local vendors and farmers who use organic growing practices or are Certified Naturally Grown. This year, it’s added an artisan market on Saturday evenings.
In late October, the two markets will combine and open on Saturday mornings.
Woodstock Farm Fresh Market
Opens May 16; Saturdays:
8:30 a.m.-noon
Market Street in downtown Woodstock between Mill and Maple streets, visitwoodstockga.com/portfolio/ farm-fresh-market/
What’s new? This year’s Saturday market will include events from the Cherokee County Farm Bureau, cooking demonstrations from local chefs and live music. The start date is subject to change due to COVID-19.