The onset of Spring means the return of my favorite leisure pastime: visiting Farmer’s Markets. I am happy that throughout the past 23 years of me living in Atlanta that there has been a resurgence in popularity for the slow food and “know your farmer” movements. As a self-proclaimed farmers market aficionado, I’ve explored almost everyone within the city and there are a couple of ones outside of the perimeter that are notable as well.
Number One: Freedom Farmer’s Market
Dates Open: Year round on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm
Reasons to love it: 3 Porch Farm Flowers, giant palettes of heirloom tomatoes brought in fresh every week, nitro cold brew coffee, ample free parking, and a community neighborhood feel.
Cons: not a lot of vendor variety, gets crowded very quickly. Most people show up before they actually open the market at 9 am.
Number Two: The Piedmont Park Green Market
Dates Open: Saturdays March 24th – November
Reasons to love it: Local bluegrass bands come to play every week, plenty of vendor variety from farm-raised eggs to hand made pasta, Blue Donkey Coffee (both iced and hot), easy to get to on foot, and rarely feels too crowded.
Cons: Sometimes can feel a bit commercial, flower vendors sell out quickly.
Number Three: Sandy Springs Farmers Market
Dates Open: Saturdays April 14th – December from 9am to 1pm
Reasons to love it: Local bluegrass band comes to play the entire time, Strive Foods brings their delicious vegan pizzas and treats, pretty flower vendors, and great vendor variety.
Cons: Attracts a massive crowd early, and it’s not convenient to a highway.
Number Four: Marietta Square Farmers Market
Dates Open: Saturdays Year Round from 9am – 1pm and Sundays from May to October from 12pm– 3pm
Reasons to love it: 3 Porch Farm Flowers, Strive Foods, large selection of vendors, plenty of space to spread out, and set in a cute “downtown square” with plenty of places to duck out and grab coffee at or have brunch.
Cons: Not inside the city, free parking is limited and pay parking isn’t nearby.
Number Five: Alpharetta Farmers Market
Dates Open: Saturdays April – October from 8:30 am – 1pm
Reasons to Love it: David’s Garden Pickles and veggie mixes, a local herb grower, tons of variety, they close off an entire street, great selection of baked goods and restaurant food vendors.
Cons: Not inside the city, parking is extremely limited, after 10am the market is oversaturated and very crowded.
Number Six: Grant Park Farmers Market
Dates Open: April 8th – October on SUNDAYS from 9am – 1pm
Reasons to Love it: H&F Bread company has a stand, in the summer there is a watermelon granita lady who shaves fresh frozen watermelon, large area where they set up on so it doesn’t feel crowded, open on Sunday and the vendor variety is great (a lot of local orchards come to sell their peaches/ apples/ etc).
Cons: Parking is difficult to come by.
Number Seven: Peachtree Road Farmers Market
Dates Open: April 7th – September 29 from 8:30am – 1pm and October 6th – December 15th from 9am – 12pm
Reasons to love it: Beautiful setting in a historic church parking lot off of Peachtree Road, lovely local flower vendors, mostly shaded. Tons of vendors, with wild mushroom vendors, Georgia shrimp vendor, and a variety of veggies. A crêperie and a biscuit place makes fresh, hot breakfast, and Batdorf & Bronson is there to serve coffee. A pianist plays the piano while you shop.
Cons: Parking is difficult and the crowds get pretty thick 1 hour after opening. Finding seating to eat breakfast can be difficult.
