Photos: A guide to Your 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether you just want some shredded American cheese or are a dairy aficionado, the market houses over 500 varieties of cheeses.
Vegans: DeKalb Farmers Market hasn’t forgotten about you with a section of faux-meats and faux-cheeses.
You’re probably hungry after all of that grocery shopping. Head over to the hot bar for freshly-cooked international cuisine.
The coffee shop is caffeine heaven with beans from over 20 countries and 31 flavor options.
Tip: There is a nut grinder near the coffee station to make fresh almond, cashew or peanut butter on-site.
Have you ever had candy made with real fruit juice? It’s life-changing.
Treat yourself at the pastry shop. All of the items are, of course, made in-house.
Tip: They have red velvet cheesecake. Red. Velvet. Cheesecake.
For libations, the market organizes wine and beer by geography and category.
Pick up a custom floral arrangement, live plant or fruit basket from the flower department.
Eco-conscious? An extensive recycling center beside the parking lot collects glass, cardboard, aluminum, steel and paper products.
DeKalb Farmers Market
3000 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur.
Open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
404-377-6400, dekalbfarmersmarket.com
Debit cards, EBT, cash and check are accepted. Credit cards are not accepted.
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