A Wintry Visit to Your Local Farmer’s Market

There is nothing quite like going to the local farmer’s market in the middle of summer. Who can resist the smell of fresh tomatoes, peaches, and cantaloupe? Recently, I began craving fresh fruit and vegetables. Unfortunately, it was December and cold outside. Of course, I can always go to the local grocer, but that’s not the same as bringing homegrown fruits and vegetables into the house. On a Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago, I could not hold out any longer, so Sean and I took the kids to the Dekalb Farmer’s Market in Atlanta. Although it may not look like a traditional summer farmer’s market, it is an indoor fruit and veggie paradise. To my surprise, Jackson and Lucy loved the trip.

Indoor farmer’s markets typically have a wide array of foods. The markets’ usually have breads, sweets, and cheeses to go along with fresh fruits and vegetables. Indoor markets are nice because they usually have refrigeration for the cheeses and maybe some flash frozen fruits and veggies to store until winter. The Dekalb Farmer’s Market is housed in a 140,000 square feet building. It has sections for produce of course, but it also has a full bakery, a massive spice wall, and sections including cheese and dairy, seafood, deli, meat, international, and floral. The market even has an onsite coffee shop where you can buy all types of coffee, teas, and even bags of chicory! Oh, and did I mention that there was a full restaurant inside?

• 

• 

At the Dekalb Farmer’s Market, there is a host of unique fruits and vegetables, many of which my family has never seen. Actually, while shopping, I was looking for a unique fruit that I had no experience with. I found a piece of fruit wrapped in paper. When checking out, the cashier asked me what type of fruit was wrapped. I told him it was a paper fruit. The cashier looked at me strange and called a few other cashiers over to see what a paper fruit was because he couldn’t recall ever seeing one. I gave permission for the cashier to unwrap the mystery fruit, and much to my embarrassment, it was a bread fruit. The kids and Sean were cracking up. I wanted to hide underneath a fruit stand when I realized that I was calling the fruit a paper fruit because it was wrapped in paper!

I am not sure why I don’t make at least monthly trips to the Dekalb Farmer’s Market, but it is definitely a goal of mine for this coming year.  You simply cannot beat the prices or the quality of the products. If you are looking for a local field trip with your kids or a Sunday afternoon stroll to pick up some fresh produce (or maybe a “paper fruit”), try out your local indoor farmer’s market. I hope you love it as much as we do!

If you live in Atlanta, or are just passing through, the Dekalb Farmer’s Market is a must see!

Your Dekalb Farmer’s Market

3000 East Ponce De Leon Avenue

Decatur, Georgia 30030

404-377-6400

Do you have a local farmer’s market in your neck of the woods that you love? Or maybe an interesting fruit that is your favorite? Please drop us a line, we would love to hear from you!