There is a growing trend toward shopping local and organic, shunning processed foods and deceiving marketing claims. Atlanta has many local farmer's markets where you can speak with the farmers, buy in-season produce and get quality meats from ethical sources.
Morningside Farmer's Market
Morningside Farmer's Market is one of the few year-round farmer's markets in Atlanta. Every Saturday morning you'll find produce, eggs, flowers, breads and meats from local Georgia producers. Riverview Farms is a constant at this market, providing grassfed beef and Berkshire pork. You can also find products like homemade granola and baked goods as well as soaps and natural other household items.
Morningside Farmer's Market frequently has chef demonstrations to get you started with great ways to use your seasonal produce finds.
Location: 1393 N. Highland Ave Atlanta GA 30306, across the street from Alon's Bakery, next door to Rosebud Restaurant.
Peachtree Road Farmer's Market
Peachtree Road Farmer's Market, located in Buckhead, is a larger, fairly well known market in Atlanta. Here you'll find a variety of Georgia-grown veggies and fruits alongside farm fresh eggs, greek yogurt and cheeses from Atlanta Fresh Artisan Creamery, locally roasted coffee, H&F Bread Co. bread, yummy Zocalo salsas and more.
This market also has a variety of non-food items from local artists. You can even pick up natural dog treats for your furry friend.
Peachtree Road Farmer's Market operates Saturday mornings from April - December.
Location: Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30305
East Atlanta Village Farmer's Market
The East Atlanta Village Farmer's Market operates May - November and is unique in that they set up camp on Thursday evenings, rather than the typical Saturday mornings. This means the East Atlanta Village gets support from many top vendors and doesn't have to compete with other markets.
Here you'll find loads of produce, a few options for grassfed meats, a large selection of cheese, H&F Breads and food vendors like yummy ice cream from Westside Creamery (get a cup and take a pint home) and slices from Moto Bene pizza.
Location: East Atlanta Village in the Ace Hardware parking lot (look for new location in 2011)
ELF Market - East Lake Farmer's Market
ELF Market is a small but steadily growing market open from May - December in the East Lake community. They offer local produce, yummy baked goods, honey, soaps and other natural products. They also sometimes offer fresh meats, including chicken, grassfed beef and special order turkeys for the holiday season.
East Lake Farmer's Market has made a splash with fun events like collard greens cook-off and a visit from The Cooking Channel.
Location: Fenced lot at the corner of 2nd and Hosea Williams in East Lake, bordering Kirkwood and Oakhurst.
Decatur Farmer's Market
Decatur Farmer's Market is another one of those elusive year-round farmer's markets. They set up on Saturday morning and also on Wednesday evenings, so you have two chances to stock up.
Here you'll find grassfed beef, local food truck vendors, fresh bread from Magnolia Bread Company, salsas, jams and spreads and of course local produce. They also often have fresh milk and dairy products. Check with Decatur Farmer's Market online to see who will be at the market each week.
Location: Saturdays across the street from the Dekalb Courthouse on N. McDonough in downtown Decatur, Wednesdays at the corner of Commerce Dr. and Church St. in the Bank of America parking lot
