Farmers markets are a feast for the senses. Sniff just-picked fruits and vegetables at their peak-of-flavor best. Nibble samples of tasty breads, honeys and preserves. Learn from professional chefs as they demonstrate uses for a rainbow of ingredients from red tomatoes to purple eggplant. Stock up on fresh artisan foodstuffs to prepare a feast or simply bite into a just-purchased temptation.
Midtown now is home to two farmers markets — and plenty more options abound across Atlanta — dishing up the best of what Georgia grows.
The Midtown Market will reopen on Wednesday, April 13 at 999 Peachtree and run weekly from 4 to 7 p.m. It features farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, pasture-raised chicken, eggs, pastas, breads and sweets. “We’re so excited to bring it back for a second season,” said Tucker Berta, spokeswoman for Midtown Alliance. “But this is our first spring and summer season and we’re really looking forward to having it in this amazing weather.
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“We’ve got a great partnership with Empire State South,” said Berta of the restaurant helmed by current Top Chef Masters participant Hugh Acheson. “Not only will we have activity on the 999 Plaza, but also in back of Empire State South where the bocce ball court is located. So people will be able to come out and in addition to shopping for great fresh-from-the-farm local organic produce and other goodies, they’ll be able to come in and get a drink from Empire State South, take it outside and play bocce and enjoy a nice day in Midtown.”
The Green Market at Piedmont Park reopens on May 7 and will run every Saturday through December 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Piedmont Park’s 12th Street entrance gate. The open-air market features locally grown produce and flowers, fresh meats, artisan cheeses, baked goods, coffee, tea and snacks. You’ll also find chef demos, live musical performances and kids programs.
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“This year we’ll have more kids cooking classes,” said Holly Hollingsworth, Green Market manager. “We’ll hold canning classes once or twice a month. And we’ll have a ‘Veggie Valet’ service to pick up your Green Market shopping bags so you don’t have to lug them across the park. We’ll continue to have chef demos. We’ll have a bicycle coffee roaster who will roast coffee on site. And we’ll have an ice cream social on July 30.”
A short drive from Midtown is the Morningside Farmers Market, which runs every Saturday all year from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at 1393 N. Highland Ave. (across the street from Alon’s Bakery and next to Rosebud.) Chef demos start mid-April and continue to November. The Morningside Farmers Market features exclusively certified organic foods that are locally grown — none more than two hours away.
While what’s available changes with the season, there is one certainty at every visit to a farmers market: Whether you shop with a list or just wander around looking to get inspired by ingredients, you’re sure to find something mouthwatering.
If that’s not enough to stock your pantry and ‘frig and you’re prepared to drive even further, check out these Farmers Markets:
- Alpharetta Farmers Market, www.alpharettafarmersmarket.com
- Atlanta State Farmers Market, www.atlantaproducedealers.org
- Decatur Organic Farmers Market, www.decaturfarmersmarket.com
- Dunwoody Green Market, www.dunwoodygreenmarket.com
- East Atlanta Village Farmers Market, www.farmeav.com
- Marietta Square Farmers Market, www.mariettasquarefarmersmarket.net
- Peachtree Road Farmers Market, www.peachtreeroadfarmersmarket.com
- Sandy Springs Famers Market, www.sandyspringsfarmersmarket.com
- Serenbe Farmers And Artists Market, www.serenbefarms.com
- Whistle Stop Farmer’s Market In Historic Norcross, www.whistlestopfarmersmarket.com