The Background:
Atlanta’s food scene thrives because of the incredible access we have to fresh, local ingredients. Between neighborhood farmers markets operating year-round, specialty grocers, and producer-only markets, you can source better ingredients here than in most American cities.
At Atlanta Personal Chef Service, we spend significant time sourcing ingredients for our clients. After years of shopping across Metro Atlanta, we’ve learned how to shop and which markets in Atlanta are popular and offer a variety of specific ingredients.
Below is a guide to shopping in Atlanta for local ingredients. It is not an endorsement nor a complete list of every market in Atlanta – but a guide to the where, what, and why of Atlanta farmer’s markets and local ingredient shopping.
Tips for Shopping Atlanta Markets
Timing Matters: Markets are busiest in the first hour and last 30 minutes. Mid-market timing (9:30-11 AM for morning markets) offers full selection with smaller crowds.
Cash is King: Many vendors prefer cash. Some accept cards, but bring cash to avoid issues. Your DeKalb Farmers Market specifically doesn’t accept credit cards.
Bring Your Own Bags: Reusable bags are appreciated and often required. Many markets have sustainability requirements.
Talk to Vendors: Farmers and producers can tell you when their produce was picked, how to store it, and how to cook it. They’re an underutilized resource. Especially depending on the season.
EBT Matching Programs: Many Community Farmers Markets match EBT dollars with tokens for fruits and vegetables through Wholesome Wave Georgia. This doubles your purchasing power for produce.
Check Schedules: Seasonal markets change dates yearly. Check websites or social media before driving across town.
Producer-Only vs. Open Markets: “Producer-only” markets allow only vendors who grow or make what they sell—no resellers. These markets typically offer better quality and fairer pricing but may have less variety.
How Atlanta Personal Chef Service Uses These Resources
We shop multiple markets and stores weekly depending on what’s in season and what our clients need. Our chefs have established relationships with specific vendors at farmers markets who alert us when specialty items come into season.
For international ingredients or specialty items, we rely on Your DeKalb Farmers Market and Buford Highway Farmers Market. For organic produce, we prioritize Morningside. For variety and atmosphere, Grant Park and Peachtree Road are reliable.
This access to multiple high-quality sources is one advantage of personal chef service—we know where to find specific ingredients at their best, and we’re shopping regularly enough to track what’s good right now.
Your menus benefit from this knowledge without requiring you to navigate multiple markets or spend Saturday mornings shopping.
Why This Matters for Your Family
You’re probably not going to hit three farmers markets and two specialty grocers every week. That’s not realistic for most families.
But knowing these places exist means you can access them when it makes sense, and stopping at a nice Atlanta farmers market for your cooking needs is a great routine to have around.
Or you can outsource the entire operation to someone who’s already shopping these places regularly.
That’s what we do. We build menus around what’s available at these markets right now, shop for it, cook it in your home or deliver it fresh, and you eat really good food without thinking about where it came from.
We’ve been doing this in Atlanta since 2012. We know which vendors have the best tomatoes in July, where to get fresh herbs year-round, and which markets are worth the drive.
If you’re interested in eating food sourced from these places but don’t want to do the shopping yourself, we should talk.
The Ultimate List of All Atlanta Farmer’s Markets (Updated for 2026)
Here is a detailed, factual list of Atlanta’s farmers markets for 2026. This list includes the major “producer-only” markets (where vendors grow what they sell), the large international grocery markets, and the community markets throughout the metro area.
Note: For seasonal markets, “Season” typically refers to March/April through November/December. Always check specific market social media pages for holiday closures or weather cancellations.
MAJOR INTOWN MARKETS (Year-Round)
These are the stalwarts of the Atlanta scene, operating every week regardless of the season.
- Grant Park Farmers Market
- When: Sundays, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location: The Beacon Atlanta (1040 Grant St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315)
- What They Sell: Extensive selection of seasonal produce, ethically raised meats (beef, pork, chicken), sustainable seafood, artisan breads (TGM Bread often attends), cheeses, and prepared foods like crepes and pasta.
- The Vibe: Voted “Best of Atlanta” frequently. It’s huge, social, and located at The Beacon, so you can grab a beer or coffee nearby. Great for celebrity chef demos.
- Morningside Farmers Market
- When: Saturdays, 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Location: Morningside Presbyterian Church (1411 N Morningside Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306)
- What They Sell: This is the first market in Atlanta to require all produce be Certified Organic. You will find ultra-high-quality vegetables, fruits, flowers, and heirloom varieties.
- The Vibe: Quiet, serious foodies, and chefs. It’s smaller than Grant Park but higher density of “perfect” produce.
- Freedom Farmers Market
- When: Saturdays, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: The Carter Center (453 Freedom Pkwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30307)
- What They Sell: A wide range of local produce, dairy, eggs, baked goods, and prepared foods. Known for having excellent cheese and bread vendors.
- The Vibe: Very accessible by bike (right off the Freedom Park Trail). It has a “pop-up” feel with a strong focus on sustainability.
- Oakhurst Farmers Market
- When: Saturdays, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location: Sceptre Brewing Arts (630 East Lake Dr, Decatur, GA 30030)
- What They Sell: Fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, and a strong lineup of prepared food vendors for breakfast/lunch.
- The Vibe: Extremely family-friendly. It’s located on a grassy lawn next to a brewery, making it a popular neighborhood hang-out spot.
MAJOR INTOWN MARKETS (Seasonal)
These markets generally operate from March/April through November or December.
- Peachtree Road Farmers Market
- When: Saturdays, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM (March – December)
- Location: Cathedral of St. Philip (2744 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305)
- What They Sell: The largest Producer-Only market in the state. If it’s sold here, the person selling it grew it or made it. Huge variety of produce, meats, artists, and chefs.
- The Vibe: Bustling, Buckhead crowd, lots of dogs, and very high energy. Arrive early for the best selection; it sells out.
- Green Market at Piedmont Park
- When: Saturdays, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (March – November/December)
- Location: Piedmont Park, 12th St & Piedmont Ave Gate (1071 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309)
- What They Sell: Local fruits and vegetables, jams, preserves, artisan crafts, and prepared foods (like King of Pops).
- The Vibe: Iconic park setting. Perfect for grabbing food and walking into the park for a picnic.
- East Atlanta Village (EAV) Farmers Market
- When: Thursdays, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM (March – November)
- Location: East Atlanta Community Park (572 Stokeswood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316)
- What They Sell: A smaller but potent selection of organic produce, ethical meats, and great prepared dinner options.
- The Vibe: Evening market with a “dinner and shopping” atmosphere. Very hyper-local and gritty-cool.
- Decatur Farmers Market
- When: Wednesdays, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM (March – November)
- Location: First Baptist Church of Decatur (308 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, GA 30030)
- What They Sell: Mid-week restock of veggies, fruits, breads, and meats.
- The Vibe: Relaxed midweek gathering. Great for picking up ingredients for dinner that night.
- Virginia Highland Farmers Market
- When: Sundays, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Seasonal)
- Location: Farm Burger / Highland Woodworking Lot (1045 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306)
- What They Sell: A curated selection of local farmers and artisans.
- The Vibe: Classic walkable neighborhood market. Very dog-friendly.
- Ponce City Farmers Market
- When: Wednesdays, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Seasonal, usually Spring-Fall)
- Location: “The Shed” on the BeltLine at Ponce City Market (675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308)
- What They Sell: Vegetables, urban farm produce, and artisan goods.
- The Vibe: High foot traffic from the BeltLine. More “grab-and-go” oriented than the big Saturday markets.
METRO ATLANTA & PERIMETER MARKETS
- Marietta Square Farmers Market
- When: Saturdays, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Year-Round)
- Location: Historic Marietta Square (65 Church St, Marietta, GA 30060)
- What They Sell: Massive selection. Over 60 vendors selling everything from heirloom tomatoes to landscape plants and kitchen knives.
- The Vibe: A destination event. It takes over the streets of the square.
- Sandy Springs Farmers Market
- When: Saturdays, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM (April – November)
- Location: City Springs (1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA 30328)
- What They Sell: Produce, specialized prepared foods, and crafts.
- The Vibe: Clean, modern, and located on the beautiful City Springs green. Splash pad nearby for kids.
- Brookhaven Farmers Market
- When: Saturdays, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (March – November)
- Location: 1375 Fernwood Cir NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319
- What They Sell: Good mix of staple produce and high-end artisan goods (jewelry, soaps, pet treats).
- Dunwoody Farmers Market
- When: Saturdays, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (February – December)
- Location: Brook Run Park (4770 N Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338)
- The Vibe: Located in a great park, making it easy to combine shopping with a playground trip.
- Tucker Farmers Market
- When: Thursdays, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM (April – October)
- Location: St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (4882 Lavista Rd, Tucker, GA 30084)
- The Vibe: Very community-focused evening market.
- Avondale Estates Farmers Market
- When: Sundays, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Year-Round)
- Location: 22 N Avondale Rd, Avondale Estates, GA 30002
- The Vibe: Late start time makes it the best option for late risers/brunch crowd.
- Alpharetta Farmers Market
- When: Saturdays, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM (April – November)
- Location: Downtown Alpharetta (Town Green, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, GA 30009)
- The Vibe: Like Marietta, this is a large town-center market with a festival atmosphere.
- Roswell Farmers Market
- When: Saturdays, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (April – October)
- Location: Roswell City Hall (38 Hill St, Roswell, GA 30075)
SPECIALTY & “MEGA” MARKETS
While not traditional “tent” markets, these are essential Atlanta institutions for produce.
- Your DeKalb Farmers Market (YDFM)
- When: Daily, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Location: 3000 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030
- Details: A colossal indoor international market. The produce section is legendary for variety and price. Excellent seafood, spices, and bakery. Note: Cash or Debit Card ONLY (No Credit Cards).
- Buford Highway Farmers Market
- When: Daily, 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Location: 5600 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340
- Details: Similar to YDFM but with a stronger focus on Asian and Latin American specialty goods. The place to go for specific ethnic ingredients (dumpling wrappers, rare chilies, exotic fruits).
- The Municipal Market (Sweet Auburn Curb Market)
- When: Mon-Sat 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (vendors vary)
- Location: 209 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
- Details: Historic indoor market downtown. Features butchers, produce stands, and several popular restaurant stalls (Arepa Mia, etc.).
- Atlanta State Farmers Market
- When: Daily, 24 Hours (Retail stalls typically 7 AM – 5 PM)
- Location: 16 Forest Pkwy, Forest Park, GA 30297
- Details: This is the massive wholesale terminal where restaurants shop. However, there are retail “sheds” open to the public where you can buy watermelons, corn, and plants by the crate or bushel for incredibly cheap prices.
FRESH MARTA MARKETS
Small pop-up stands located inside transit stations to improve food access.
- Locations: West End, H.E. Holmes, Bankhead, College Park, and Five Points stations.
- Schedule: Rotates by station (typically Tues-Fri afternoons, 3 PM – 7 PM).
- What They Sell: Fresh, affordable staple produce (bananas, greens, apples, onions) for commuters.
Ready for Better Ingredients Without the Work?
Call us: (404) 913-4633
Email: info@atlchefs.com
Visit: www.atlantapersonalchefservice.com
Free consultation. We’ll discuss what your family wants to eat and whether personal chef service makes sense for you.
No contracts. No commitments. Just access to Atlanta’s best ingredients without spending your Saturday mornings at farmers markets.
Because life’s too short to eat grocery store tomatoes when Grant Park Farmers Market exists.
About Atlanta Personal Chef Service
Since 2012, we’ve provided personal chef services to families throughout Metro Atlanta. Our chefs know Atlanta’s food scene, shop local markets regularly, and build menus around what’s fresh and available now. Serving Alpharetta, Brookhaven, Buckhead, Decatur, Dunwoody, Fayetteville, Midtown, Peachtree City, and surrounding areas.