While crawling through an Atlanta commute, drivers often peer out their car window and catch a glimpse of a farmer selling vine-ripe heirloom tomatoes, nuclear-sized watermelons and fresh Georgia peaches from the back of his pickup truck. As you envision yourself biting into those succulent fruits, the person texting behind you lays on their horn, snapping you out of an organic trance. The next day, sadly, Farmer Ted and his rolling horn-of-plenty is gone. However, he doesn't have to be your personal Moby Dick, as there are more farmers markets cropping up. We've rounded up a few great ones to help narrow the search. Bring the kids and the family dog and make it a breakfast or lunch destination.
OUR PICKS
Alpharetta Farmers Market
Located in the big parking lot next to City Hall on Ga. 9, the Alpharetta Farmers Market is open May-October and not only sells the freshest produce but also homemade body scrubs and soaps, soy candles in Mason jars, organic Big Daddy dog treats, fresh baked tamales and more.
8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saturdays. Main Street, Alpharetta. www.alpharettafarmersmarket.com.
East Lake Farmers Market
The East Lake Farmers Market gets points for creative events throughout the year like a collards cook-off and Peachapalooza. It also supports area artisans who sell homemade bath products at the Skin Cafe and Moon Organics. Plus, there's hand-carved furniture and an art gallery. The market runs through October.
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. 2nd Avenue and Hosea L. Williams Drive, Atlanta. http://elfmarket.org.
Grant Park Farmers Market
Located in the shady spots of one of Atlanta's historic treasures, the Grant Park market features an eclectic mix of vendors hawking organic produce, locally made dog food from InTown Hound, baked goods from Holeman & Fitch and weekly chef demos. Chef Zeb Stevenson of the Livingston restaurant cooks up something good Aug. 5. The market runs through Dec. 16.
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sundays. Located at the corner of Cherokee Avenue and Milledge Avenue. www.grantparkmarket.org.
Marietta Square Farmers Market
Every Saturday, the beautiful and quaint Marietta Square is happily overrun with fresh produce and herb vendors, local creameries with Greek yogurt and goat's milk, natural apothecaries and a wide selection of gluten-free baked goods. A smaller version takes place on Sundays, with both running through November.
9 a.m.-noon. Saturdays. Noon-3 p.m. Sundays. 65 Church St., Marietta. www.mariettasquarefarmersmarket.net/index.htm.
Smyrna's Farmers Atlanta Road Market
Located near the East/West Connector, the FARM is perfect for OTP commuters. It's open every Tuesday from 4 p.m. until dusk or until the vendors run out of product. They even offer freshly prepared take-away meals and homemade ice cream. Give yourself the night off from cooking and be a hero when you walk through that front door.
4:30 p.m. to dusk. Tuesdays. 2160 Cooper Lake Road S.E., Smyrna, in the parking Lot of St. Benedict's Church.
www.farmersatlantaroadmarket.org.
Other notables definitely worth a visit:
Morningside Farmers Market
1393 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta
Saturdays all year
Summer: 7:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.; winter: 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
www.morningsidemarket.com/index.
Peachtree Road Farmers Market
Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road N.W., Atlanta
Saturdays
8:30 a.m.-noon
www.peachtreeroadfarmersmarket.com.
Chamblee Farmers Market
5435 Peachtree Road, in the Frosty Caboose parking lot in historic downtown Chamblee
Saturdays
8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
www.chambleefarmersmarket.com.
Decatur Saturday Farmers Market
498 N. McDonough St, Decatur, across from DeKalb County Courthouse
Saturdays year-round
9 a.m.--noon
http://decaturfarmersmarket.com/wordpress.
Decatur Wednesday Farmers Market
163 Clairmont Ave., Decatur, Bank of America parking lot
Wednesdays all year
Summer: 4 p.m.--7 p.m.; winter: 3 p.m.--6 p.m.
http://decaturfarmersmarket.com/wordpress.
Dunwoody Green Market
1551 Dunwoody Village Parkway, Dunwoody Village Post Office parking lot
Wednesdays
8 a.m.-noon
www.dunwoodygreenmarket.com.
Kennesaw Farmers Market
2753 Watts Drive, Adams Park soccer field parking lot in front of the Community Center
Tuesdays until the end of summer
7 a.m.-1 p.m.
www.kennesaw-ga.gov/residents/events-a-activities/farmers-market.
Lawrenceville Farmers Market
20 S. Clayton St., in the Square, downtown Lawrenceville
Saturdays
8 a.m.-noon
www.lawrencevillefarmersmarket.com.
Norcross Whistle Stop Farmers Market
Thrasher Park, 1 Park Drive N.W., Norcross
Tuesdays
4 p.m.--8 p.m.
http://norcrossfarmersmarket.com.
Powder Springs Farmers Market
4488 Pineview Drive, Powder Springs, next to City Hall in the Community Development Building parking lot
Thursdays through September
4 p.m.--8 p.m.
www.cityofpowdersprings.org
Farmers Market at Sweet Apple Village
12030 Etris Road, Roswell
Thursdays
3 p.m.--8 p.m.
770-826-8807, www.sweetapplevillage.com.
Sandy Springs Farmers Market
235 Sandy Springs Circle N.W.
Saturdays
8:30 a.m.-noon
www.sandyspringsfarmersmarket.com.
Snellville Farmers Market
Snellville City Hall
2342 Oak Road
Saturdays
8 a.m.-noon
www.snellvillefarmersmarket.com.
Green Market on Main
Main Street, Tucker
Sundays
10 a.m.--2 p.m.
www.greenmarketonmain.com.
Woodstock Farmers Market
Downtown Woodstock, located at the public parking lot at the corner of Towne Lake Parkway and Main Street
Saturdays
8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
www.woodstockga.gov/index.aspx?NID=464.
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