Founded in 1977 as a small produce stand, the current market covers 140,000 square feet! Inside shoppers will find a cornucopia of food and beverages of all kinds. This is truly an international shopping experience with selections representing the four corners of the globe.

Produce is shipped in fresh daily and includes many hard --sometimes even impossible-- to find items. Not sure how to best use Bok-choy or Jerusalem Artichokes? No problem. The friendly staff will be more than happy to offer suggestions. An eclectic, multi-cultural group, the employees are often familiar with items that are common in their native lands, but rare in the United States.

All employees are easily identified by their name tags which not only tells how to address them but which languages they speak. A good many market employees are multi-lingual, something that surely came in handy during the recent Atlanta Olympics.

Produce is just the tip of the iceberg at Your DeKalb Farmers Market. The meat and seafood departments are overwhelming. Tons of fresh flesh of all kinds are offered, including freshly made sausages and smoked meats, patés, and tank after tank of live seafood. They will even be happy to steam and season your fresh shellfish to order.

The bakery features products made with organic flours and natural ingredients. Each day at 3AM the ovens start producing tons of delicious breads, bagels, muffins, cakes, cookie and pastries. The Flower department has blooms shipped in daily from Europe, Central America, Hawaii and the United States.

The market's wine and beer selection is extensive. I found several good bargains in the imported wine section, so be sure to take some time to explore here.

In addition, the extensive grocery section is sure to have favorite items from just about every country on earth. You know it's a small world when you can find such items as Vegemite or Calpis Soda in Decatur, Georgia.

Those visiting Atlanta who are staying in a hotel without cooking facilities are probably wondering why they should bother visiting Your DeKalb Farmers Market. Go anyway, you'll be glad you did. The market is so interesting that it was truly one of my favorite Atlanta area tourist attractions. Not only that, you can still take advantage of the unending variety of culinary delights by having lunch at the Market restaurant which features daily fish, meat, chicken and vegetarian specials, or make a quick stop in the fruit bar and pastry shop and have a gourmet coffee!

Your Dekalb Farmer's Market
3000 East Ponce De Leon Avenue
Decatur, GA 30030
404-377-6400

Be sure to also read:

Highlights of Atlanta