Farmers Markets in Georgia

The largest farmers market east of the Mississippi is the Atlanta Farmers Market off I-75 in Forest Park. It is easy to get to as this facility is located right off the Interstate, one block east. It's a big facility and is open from 5am-4pm most days except Saturday when it opens at noon and it is closed Sunday. During the peak market seasons like June and July it is open 24 hours a day. They also have a cafeteria with the best fresh vegetables and although they serve meat, go for the corn bread and veggies; you will love it. Go green and eat your vegetables right from the farmer's fields.

The first thing I noticed was that it is almost, 100% Hispanic businessmen, not farmers. These men buy directly from small farmers and negotiate the price on the bush. They then proceed to pick and pack right at the field then sell at the market. Prices are considerably lower then grocery prices and about maybe 18-20%% lower then produce stands and do haggle, as that is the Hispanic heritage. At least for someone that is buying for them selves. "The price is typically negotiated even lower by the produce people and can vary quite a bit", according to Johnny Boring local produce operator and long time farmer.

Johnny also points out that almost all produce is picked and sold in the fields now through Hispanic brokers that supply the labor and materials to package and bring to market. Other then the Atlanta Market a lot of the farmers markets are closing up. Chattanooga, Knoxville and several Alabama farmers markets are gone. As well as Savannah has lost a market.

Last year we went to Cordele Ga. 3 hours south of Atlanta off I-75 also and it's primarily a melon market. "It is actually the worlds largest melon market", says Mr. Boring. "They bring in tractor loads of melons that are stacked in pyramids directly from the farm on a seasonal basis." It's quite the sight as all kinds of melons even lots of varieties of the same melon such as watermelon. Prices are 20-30% cheaper then your supermarket. You have to call for days and times as they differ depending on the traffic of melons coming to market but summer is big and Saturdays are usually good.

On the way back from Cordele make a stop in Macon and go green at the Macon Farmers market which is mainly a greens market and pick up fresh collards, mustard greens, rutabaga's and other greens. Greens are considerable less almost 40% on some common varieties.

Makes a wonderful trip in the summer and gives an educational opportunity for kids of all ages. Most kids today don't get the opportunity to see true markets in action and it can be fun for them to go green, which helps in the educational process. Kids see farmers of all nationalities and realize it's one area everyone has some common ground. Also they glimpse an understanding of the food process and what happens to get food to the market. Also a great way to get them interested in healthy food if they can understand how its grown and that it is safe.

In the Atlanta area there is also the International Farmers market in Doraville but it is more akin to a warehouse grocery store but good prices on some exotic fruits and vegetables.

In the Atlanta Metro area there are quite a few local farmers market's that typically open in May and stay open through the market season sometimes as late as November. Urban towns such as Alpharetta, Roswell, Marietta, Kennesaw just to mention a few have Saturday markets and only allow farmers who sell there own produce participate from the vendor side but they must be from within a 60 mile radius. Karen Bonaudi, assistant executive of the Washington State Potato Commission, Moses Lake says' "As people feel the pinch, they may not go out and spend so much at a fancy restaurant". This leads me to believe that your local farmers market could be a welcomed changed from the chain grocery stores and help to safe money as well as provide an outing for the family.

Produce at any of these markets usually have not been picked more then a day and contain no preservatives. They also are so fresh that they contain high nutrition content unlike the grocery store or warehouse store where the produce is gassed or maybe nuked to retain color and freshness.

Hope you get a chance to get out in the summer with the family, as it is cheap fun not to be confused with healthy and safe.

Cite:

The Packer, the Business Newspaper of the Produce Industry, CXVI, No. 12 March 23, 2009

Interview of Johnny Boring by the author and printed here with Mr. Boring permission.