Photos: A guide to DeKalb Farmers Market

Your DeKalb Farmers Market, located on East Ponce de Leon, is an Atlanta icon.

The market launched in 1977 as a small produce stand before moving into its current digs, a massive 140,000-square-foot warehouse in Decatur. According to its website, the market serves over 100,000 customers each week with fresh produce, meats, seafood, breads, beer and wine, cheese, a deli and a restaurant.

DeKalb Farmers Market dubs itself “a world market”. Indeed, 184 flags from countries around the world decorate the ceilings, greeting shoppers as they enter the market. The employees too hail from all over the world with name tags that state their name, country of origin and which languages they speak.

Produce is where the market shines with more than 450 varieties of domestic and international fruits and vegetables from McIntosh apples to taro root.

Fresh, cold-pressed fruit and vegetable juice is available behind the produce stands.

Tip: Not sure how to slice that prickly durian fruit you just picked out? You can get it and other unwieldy fruits sliced on-site.

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

If you’re a seafood fan, whole fish, fillets and shellfish are available along with live seafood.

Tip: Seafood department employees will clean and fillet your whole fish selection while you wait.

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Beef, pork and chicken, oh my! Plus lamb, veal, goat, turkey, duck, quail and rabbit. Did we mention that the meat is hormone-free and sourced from free-range farms?

Tip: Kosher and Halal-certified meats are available.

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Bread lovers, rejoice! Organic ingredients? Check. No high-fructose corn syrup or preservatives? Check. Pure bread-y goodness and free samples on the weekends? Check and check.

Bonus points: Gluten-free and dairy-free options are also available.

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Trying out a new recipe? Head over to the market’s wall of spices for a bevy of domestic and international spices, all at jaw-droppingly low prices.

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

For those days when you just don’t feel like cooking, check out the pre-made meals near the frozen foods section including breakfast quiches, lasagnas, macaroni and cheese and stuffed pastas.