Table Talk

By JJ

July 9, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

For a local Farmers Market, I like to go to The Suwanee Farmer’s market. It’s there every Saturday at Town Park Center. I like the fact that it is Local growers, local merchandise, and the produce and other items haven’t been handled by numerous people, who cannot speak english.

By ISLANDCHEFIN

July 9, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

JJ, who cares if the produce is handled by people who don’t speak English? Let me guess, born and bred in the south! Apart from that, Dekalb Farmers Market always comes through.

By S.C. BBQ Boy

July 9, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

Give the farmer’s market in Marietta a try. It is just off the square and is open on Saturday mornings from 9 -1 .

By MrLiberty

July 9, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

Well I certainly wish I had the resources to travel to Clayton, GA every weekend to visit this market, but realities are realities.

Personally I find DeKalb Farmer’s market to be the absolute best choice around. I certainly wish that I could find organic produce from local Georgia farms there, but frankly I actually wonder if there even are any Georgia farmers growing organic. I have been to the market in Decatur and while the freshness is great, there are a limited number of organic items and the overall selection is pretty poor. Same deal with Lawrenceville’s. The state farmer’s market is the worst (south of the sirport). I have never seen anyone selling organic there. Great place to buy hostas though.

I really do have to ask the question - are there no medium to large organic farms in this state??? What is wrong with you farmers? Has it not become obvious to you that there is a market for the stuff?

Virtually every organic item that DeKalb Farmer’s Market sells comes from California. Over 2000 miles away. Surely if these folks can turn a profit and still enable DeKalb to turn a profit then a Georgia farmer must be able to do the same. There is plenty of organic produce coming from Mexico and Central American countries. Yes, I am trusting that DeKalb is not defrauding me, but the bananas are even a brand name grower.

Those of you who eat vegetables as an afterthought and have to take laxatives to keep you regular may find plenty of produce at the few farmer’s markets that dot the city. Many of these small mom and pops are either organic or working towards some sort of certification. Most are pesticide free, etc. and for that I certainly applaud them.

My wife and I go though pounds of vegetables a day and just don’t have the time to drive all over the city looking to fill our fridge. I look forward to reading the next posts in hopes of finding something local, organic, and diverse.

By catlady

July 9, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

Lettuce doesn’t care if it is called “lettuce” or “lechuga”. I don’t want ANYONE with diseases handling my produce. According to the file on our favorite, newly-married attorney, that can be ANYONE, regardless of country of origin or wealth. I grow my own veggies, so I can control what is on them, who touches them, and what language is spoken around them! Suggest JJ does the same.

By catlady

July 9, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

Just don’t show porn in front of my potatoes—they’ve got EYES!

By S.C. BBQ Boy

July 9, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

Check out this web site for a list of organic farms and markets. www.localharvest.org/

By catlady

July 9, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

Or say anything naughty, cause the corn has ears!

By JJ

July 9, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

Catlady I do grow some of my own veggies. But thank you for the suggestion. I like to stroll around an open air farmers market, such as the one in Suwanee, where the growers are local, and I know most of them. I have a problem with DeKalb Farmers Market, because so many people handle those items there. Most of those people are from foreign countries, and don’t have the same need for cleanliness like I do. The stench in the DeKalb Farmers market makes me sick. Harry’s in Duluth is disgustingly dirty and it too smells. I like the open air, such at Town Center Park. I much prefer to purchase from a local grower and support my local community, than somewhere in Asia or South America.

By dawg_gone_truth

July 9, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this

actually, I grow some of my own but would love it if more “pick your own” farms were around. Organic? Well its hard for the local farmer to go totally organic and turn a profit. the fertilizer would be easy with manure, but its the pesticides that are the problem, if not used the farmer takes a chance on losing the whole harvest and just can’t afford it. If there are alternitives out there and I know there is, its not being marketed to the local truck farmers. So give the guys a break and if you are at a pick your own you can always suggest it and if its cost effective, the farmers will listen.

By DLS

July 9, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

Just got back from California - Loved Trader Joe’s…I was thrilled when I returned to Atlanta and found out one just opened in mid-town(Monroe Dr.) - check it out!

By ALY

July 9, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

Stench, at the Dekalb Farmers Market. Wow!! The smell is from all the spices and foods from around the world. I have shopped there weekly for YEARS. (Never been ill or purchased anything spoiled). And I am so glad that there is a place with the variety of vegetables, meats, seafood at a reasonable cost so easily accessible. Close minded-ness should be illegal. Anywho, I won’t mind if you don’t shop there. Your arrogance will definitely spoil the environment.

By ckt

July 9, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

stench at dfm?

you’re right! i can’t believe the spice section smells like spices, the breads section is clouded with the great smell of grain and sweetness, the seafood area has the smell of sea and brine, and the market has an aroma of fresh foods!!!

how horrible!!!!!!!

By modest

July 9, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

“Close minded-ness”?

By JJ

July 9, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

I’m sure all the smells of spices and foods from over the world are ok individually, but when you lump all those spices and foods together, in a non-airconditioned building with dirty floors, along with dirty employees, you have STENCH. AND try to communicate with any of the workers at the Farmer’s Market - you can’t. And you are not supporting your local community by shopping at a WORLD Market.

Gee I wonder how many employees at the Farmer’s Market are LEGAL. Therefore, shopping at DeKalb Farmer’s Market supports ILLEGAL immigration!!!!!

That’s another reason I don’t shop there.

By dawg_gone_truth

July 9, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

JJ if the illegals are not picking your tomatoes, killing the chicken you eat or picking the water melons who is going to? The corpation farms will have to pay fair wage for that work and you will be paying $6 a lb for tomatoes. Got to look at the big picture.

The dekalb farmers market does stink, and its over crowded and not local, When I think of a farmers market I think of the roadside fruit stand the truck farmer has, not veggies brought in by the big corporation farms. This is why I won’t go to the state farmers market down by the airport, that stuff is not local. Google Georgia Grown, and you can find a site that list farmers markets in every county and pick your own farm and lets you know if they grew organics or not, even if the farm is awaiting organic certification.

By brenda

July 9, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

JJ You scare me.

PS-The Dekalb Farmers Market is air conditioned. However, it would be best if you stayed away.

By JJ

July 9, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this

Thanks Brenda, and not a problem. I will stay away. I prefer my own veggies from my yard and will support my local economy/community.

And it does smell in there.

By gardener

July 9, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

JJ - stay home

By brenda

July 9, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

JJ Your attack on the people working at the dekalb farmers market is the problem. Why make your comment mean and address personal hygiene of the employees? You could have kept to your facts(although inaccurate) and not come off as such an evil guy. Heading to the farmer’s market now, I want to smile at and shake hands with as many nice people working there as possible.

By ALY

July 9, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

Sorry for my previous typo. Modest, thanks for pointing that out. I was in a rush. I still love the Dekalb Farmers Market. It is the best and it offers many educational opportunities for children and adults alike. The diversity of cultures and wide varieties of food are unmatched in the metro Atlanta area.

By ga farmer

July 9, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

Try GFB.org Farm Bureau has cretified farm markets all over Georgia owned and operated by local farmers.

By Edward T Beazley

July 9, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

Grow your own, and solve all the problem.

By jess.me

July 9, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

Anyone out there ever bought at Burger’s in Cobb county? Shame on you if you live within driving distance (gas cost acknowledged) and haven’t.

By Melinda

July 9, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

Jessme, you’re SO right about Burger’s! Fresh shelled peas, okra, corn, tomatoes just off the vine….mmmm! I go there at least once a week in the summer. Another place that’s great is the Buford Highway Farmer’s Market. Sorry, JJ, but absolutely NOBODY there speaks English, so you’re on your own, but the produce is really fresh, the store is VERY clean, and just walking around the place is the equivalent of taking a culinary trip around the world. Try it some time when you’re feeling adventurous!

By Mary

July 9, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

If you want to ride to teh Mountains of Beautiful N GA, in a small town called Rabun Gap, You’ll find Osaages! They even grow their own awesome corn! Tomatoes to die for and their labeled, so you can try different flavors. Try it, you may like it!

By Rob

July 9, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this

Is JJ the same women who tried to ban Harry Potter (after all, hes foreign and therfore cant be trusted)

By Rob

July 9, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this

Is JJ the same person who tried to ban Harry Potter (after all, hes foreign and therfor cant be trusted)

By Rob

July 9, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this

Is JJ the same person who tried to ban Harry Potter (after all, hes foreign and therfor cant be trusted)

By Judy Justice

July 10, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this

If you want to visit a nice “tailgate market” try the Market on the Square in Zebulon, GA on Satruday mornings from 7-12. There is a lady there with fresh shrimp from the coast and farmers who grow their own produce and sell at a reasonable price.

By decaturgirl

July 10, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this

Try decatur farmers market on wednesday’s in the summer from 4-7. Parking lot of Bank of America in downtown decatur.

By southern hope

July 10, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

The best organic vegetables in the city can be found at the Morningside Organic Market….across the street from Alons on North Highland on Saturday mornings. Amazing variety of vegetables (all grown within 100 miles of Atlanta) plus terrific chef demos. Terrific way to support local farmers (get there by 9:30 or so for best selection)

By southern hope

July 10, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

The best organic vegetables in the city can be found at the Morningside Organic Market….across the street from Alons on North Highland on Saturday mornings. Amazing variety of vegetables (all grown within 100 miles of Atlanta) plus terrific chef demos. Terrific way to support local farmers (get there by 9:30 or so for best selection)

By southern hope

July 10, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

The best organic vegetables in the city can be found at the Morningside Organic Market….across the street from Alons on North Highland on Saturday mornings. Amazing variety of vegetables (all grown within 100 miles of Atlanta) plus terrific chef demos. Terrific way to support local farmers (get there by 9:30 or so for best selection)

By GAB

July 10, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

We live too far from any of these markets to visit regularly, but we belong to a wonderful CSA which delivers to the church just one block form our house. We get a big bag of organic, locally-grown fruits and vegetables every week, plus grits, honey, and even baked goods on occasion. Check out farmersfreshfood.com for more info.

By Jo

July 10, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

I love DeKalb Farmer’s! Huge selection, low prices, stuff you can’t find at conventional supermarkets. Gee, I find the employees to be very clean. The food in the cafeteria is delicious, I’ve been eating there for years but I wish they hadn’t placed it so close to the fish dept, P.U! Now, I dunno if this is just the power of suggestion or what, but when I’ve bought baked goods there, I often imagine they have a vague fishy taste..Also, you can freeze your derrierre off! And someone thinks the place isn’t air conditioned? I also like the huge selecion of Indian & other exotic groceries at that one off Peachtree Industrial just north of Brookhaven but yes, nothing beats an open-air market. I’ve been to the Saturday one on Morningside. Very enjoyable.

By MrLiberty

July 10, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

First of all the “stench” at DeKalb is the fish section. Why a farmer’s market sells fish is beyond me, but as a vegetarian if I can get past it, so can you. Stop being such a racist. It isn’t the employees that smell.

There are plenty of organic pesticides. This type of farming is not new. Its a matter of choice and seeking out the alternatives.

Organic is something I’m willing to pay for and seek out. Its almost as though Tommy Irvin and his crew go out of their way to discourage it in this state.

SC BBQ Boy, thanks for the link.

By Jo2

July 10, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

I have had a hard time finding locally-grown produce in the Atlanta area (at this point, I’ve given up on the idea of locally-grown organic veggies). I live near the DeKalb Farmer’s Market and shop there frequently, but I too am bothered by the smell that seeps into the baked goods and some other items, and by the fact that much of the produce that could be purchased in the Southeast is not. (However, I have never found the staff to be a problem; in fact, they’ve been helpful on a number of occasions. The selection of exotic foods is also wonderful!)

Most farmer’s markets here seem to be open only during the day (when I’m at work) or on Saturday mornings (when I have a standing volunteer obligation), and the same goes for CSA pick-up times, so I’m out of luck. I miss the roadside stands near the city where I grew up, and I wish I could find similar produce here. The local peaches, tomatoes, and field peas were always delicious, and the stands were open all day on Saturdays and on Sunday afternoons, so they were more accessible.

By Laura

July 10, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

DeKalb Farmers Market has great prices and selection.

By MP

July 10, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

Jo, I don’t buy their baked goods or cheese for myself because I too smell a fishy smell/taste but my husband and kids don’t. I’m glad to hear that it is just not me.

By nel

July 10, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

I guess racism/classism/allisms has to come into every conversation. What a sad waste of a mind.

I love the Dekalb Farmers market because I can find anything I could ever need.

Sad that there aren’t that many green markets in the metro area. Surprisingly, there are many more in NY city. I used to buy milk, fish, etc at an amazine green market at Union Square in NY. There are many small farms in the surrounding metro Atlanta area but I don’t see them selling around town. Maybe everyone is selling their land off to the developer with the highest bid.

By nel

July 10, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

The baked goods don’t taste of fish, it’s because it’s so close to the seafood department that you think about the fish. My son notices the smell but loves to eat their croissants, so I know it’s all in his nose not in the food.

As far a cleanliness goes, do people check the cleanliness of the bathrooms of the places they frequent for food? The Dekalb Farmers Market has always had an extremely clean bathroom.

By Catherine Owen

July 12, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

Love the Morningside Market; love the DeKalb Farmer’s Market; love the fledgling Saturday afternoon market at Whole Foods LaVista. Sad that even fresh vegetables can be a topic for angry people to fight about!

By WTF

July 12, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

Isn’t there a market in Piedmont Park? Is that any good?