Words of Thanks from Manager Lauren Carey

Hard to believe that our 8th season is ending. At this time of the year, we are so grateful for all the gifts 2014 has brought us. A few words of thanks...

First and foremost, thanks to our amazing shoppers! We've watched your families grow, adding new members (on two legs & four) and sending those we knew as children off to college. You shop with us in all weather and make local food part of your family values. The Market cannot happen without your support. We appreciate being a delicious part of your weekly routine, and we can't wait to see you on opening day, April 11, 2015.

I'm thrilled that we have been able to continue to serve a broader community this year through both our Wholesome Wave Georgia SNAP program and our new partnership with Meals on Wheels. Wholesome Wave allows us to double food stamp benefits at the Market, making fresh local foods more accessible. Our partnership with Meals on Wheels has been the perfect circle of giving. Amazing chefs like Thomas McKeown at The Grand Hyatt Buckhead, Jenn Robbins of Avalon Catering, and Nick Leahy of Saltyard did Chef Popups to raise funds for Meals on Wheels to buy veggies remaining at the end of Market. These purchases provide seniors with additional fresh vegetable servings.

The Market could not happen without the incredible hospitality of The Cathedral of St. Philip. While the Market is self-sustaining, the Cathedral offers a home to us indoors and out during the week and on Saturdays. The values of grace, hospitality and excellence are inherent in all we do. As Dean Sam Candler always says "we don't need a big Sunday coffee hour. We have one each Saturday!"

Our generous sponsor Country Financial has done so much more than provide a donation to the Market. They have become a part of our community through the high school bag contest, support of our Sunday Supper, and as a regular part of our Market. Whole Foods Market Buckhead has supported us for years by supplying staples for the chef demos unavailable at the Market as well as drinks at our information tent.

Huge thanks to all our chef demo chefs, who not only teach us how to cook each week, but support the farmers at their restaurants. I especially want to thank two chefs, who have personally and professionally gone above and beyond for the Market this year: Chef Thomas McKeown of The Grand Hyatt Buckhead and Chef Jenn Robbins of Avalon Catering. They've served at the Sunday Supper, done Chef Popups, served our vendor appreciation breakfast, and most of all bought out the occasional bumper crops from our farmers. Our gratitude to these chefs is measured in grit bowls served and veggies bought.

Your Market is special and unique because of the committed farmers, growers, food creators and artists that come rain or shine each week. All these incredible and talented small business owners fill our plates not just with food but with love. 

 
Appreciation goes to our volunteers that make the market shine. The weekly newsletter, blog, website, chef demo sound/videos and food assistance, tent and table setup, receipt-taking, garbage cleanup, and the friendly information tent services are all compliments of an incredible team that volunteers an estimated 100 hours a week. Bo, Sara, and I are so lucky to serve not just the vendors, but you our shoppers and the local food community!

I hope you count the Market among the things for which you are grateful as well. Please consider PRFM in your year-end giving. Donations can be made securely online through the Cathedral's website at https://stphilipscathedral.securegive.com. You need to create a quick account, select Donations, and then choose Farmers Market.

Eat local,
Your Market Manager
Lauren Carey

PRFM + Meals On Wheels

Peachtree Road Farmers Market and Meals On Wheels Atlanta Collaborate:

Farm to Table for Seniors in Need

Meals On Wheels Atlanta and the Peachtree Road Farmers Market at The Cathedral of St. Philip are partnering to provide the freshest locally grown vegetables to senior clients of Meals On Wheels Atlanta. At the market on Saturday mornings, Meals On Wheels Atlanta purchases - at a discounted rate - vegetables left at the end of the market to deliver to their senior clients.

Chef Nick Leahy of Saltyard is on the Board of Trustees for Meals On Wheels Atlanta and was instrumental in developing this partnership. “It’s a win-win for everyone. Local farmers are able to reduce waste and Meals On Wheels Atlanta clients benefit from fresh local vegetables,” he said.

Peachtree Road Farmers Market at The Cathedral of St. Philip is open every Saturday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM through December 13, 2014. Peachtree Road Farmers Market is the largest producer-only market in metro Atlanta. The market has created Chef Pop Ups that will benefit the Meals On Wheels Atlanta and Peachtree Road Farmers Market partnership. The Chef Pop Ups feature local chefs preparing a delicious dish for shoppers utilizing market produce. The shoppers can choose to make a donation which will help offset the cost of the vegetables provided to Meals On Wheels Atlanta. Upcoming Chef Pop Ups benefiting the partnership will be on October 11, November 8, November 22 and November 29.

Lauren Carey, Executive Director at Peachtree Road Farmers Market, is responsible for working with the market farmers and providing Meals On Wheels Atlanta with their weekly supply of vegetables. “Our farmers are so excited about this partnership. It really is the perfect relationship. Shoppers enjoy Chef Pop Ups made with market veggies, the money goes back to supporting the farmers who are helping to feed seniors in need,” she said.

In Georgia, one in six seniors does not know when or where their next meal will come from. To combat senior hunger in the Atlanta community, Meals On Wheels Atlanta will deliver more than 130,000 meals this year to local Atlanta seniors in need.

“We are thrilled to be able to provide fresh vegetables from local farmers to our senior clients. This partnership shows how Atlanta’s nonprofits can team up to do what’s best for the seniors in our community,” said Jeff Smythe, Executive Director for Meals On Wheels Atlanta.

To make a donation to support this partnership, please visit www.mealsonwheelsatlanta.org.

About Meals On Wheels Atlanta
Founded in 1965, Meals On Wheels Atlanta is a nonprofit organization that supports senior independence through meals, shelter, education and community. Through extensive programming, Meals On Wheels Atlanta delivers more than 130,000 meals annually, repairs hundreds of senior homes, manages seven neighborhood senior centers, provides community and wellness education, and helps seniors and their families manage Alzheimer's and dementia. Meals On Wheels Atlanta serves approximately 2,400 seniors annually. For more information on how to volunteer or donate to Meals On Wheels Atlanta, please visit www.mealsonwheelsatlanta.org or follow them on Facebook and Twitter or call (404) 351-3889.

About Peachtree Road Farmers Market
The Peachtree Road Farmers Market was founded in 2007 and exists as a program of The Cathedral of St. Philip. Now in its eighth year, Peachtree Road Farmers Market is a leader in the community connecting over 70 farmers and local producers to over 2,500 weekly shoppers. PRFM is the largest producer-only farmers market in the state. Producer-only means that everything at the Market has been grown, raised, or made by the seller, ensuring fair prices for both the vendors and the consumers. The Market takes place on Saturday mornings beginning in April, rain or shine, until mid December. PRFM accepts and doubles SNAP (EBT/food stamp) benefits. For more information please visit our website at www.peachtreeroadfarmersmarket.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Photo credit: Sara Craig-Goodell. L-R: Chef Nick Leahy of Saltyard, Asner Jean and Vanessa Ashi with MOWA, Lauren Carey with PRFM, and Farmer Michael Hendricks of Indian Ridge Organic Farm.

Every Saturday, rain or shine

What to expect at PRFM...

...open through December 13th, so don't forget your local farmers, food-makers, and artists when it comes time for...Halloween (we have a parade for that), Thanksgiving, and prepping for Hanukkah, Christmas, and those cold winter months when you'll be glad you froze/canned/stocked up on your favorite veggies and other treats.

...weekly Chef Demos! Check out the city's best chefs, nominated for demos by our very own market farmers (in other words, these ladies and gents are experts at cooking local and helping you to do the same). Every Saturday at 10:00 a.m., sponsored by Country Financial. Take a look at the roster and other upcoming events here.

...amazing farmers and vendors who all grow, raise, or make their own goods (no resellers here). That makes PRFM the largest producer-only farmers market in the state. See a full list of our farmers, growers, producers, and artists here.

Also...

...live music (local artists, of course).
...kids' activities.
...the coolest dogs in town.
...and YOU!


- Jennifer Maley

A perfect summer demo

This week at PRFM...

Chef Demo at 10:00 a.m. with Suzanne Vizethann of Buttermilk Kitchen, a shopper favorite with a demo reputation well-earned (folks are still talking about her teaching us the perfect omelette technique last year). Check out the demo tent this Saturday when chef Suzanne will show us how to make a delicious summer treat, watermelon tomato gazpacho with feta and herbs. Chef demos are sponsored by COUNTRY Financial.


- Jennifer Maley

New restaurant, new school year, new tricks

This week at PRFM...

Chef Demo with Todd Richards of The Pig & The Pearl and The Shed at Glenwood. For more on chef Todd, take a look at this. And be sure to visit the demo tent at 10:00 a.m. this Saturday to ask him all about his newest venture, The Pig & The Pearl, opening soon in Atlantic Station!

Also this week, bring the family by for a back-to-school Whole Foods Kids Activity. Stephanie Watson, Healthy Eating Specialist at Whole Foods Market Buckhead, will show your kids how to make both an open-faced breakfast sandwich and veggie skewers—perfect for healthy, quick, and easy breakfast, lunch, or snack options! Plus, all of the ingredients will be on hand from our PRFM vendors (think NaturAlmond and fruits and veggies from your farmers!).


- Jennifer Maley

Farm Fresh Summer

This week at PRFM...

Chef Demo with Brent Banda of La Tavola. Check out our notes about this fabulous Fifth Group chef and see him at the demo tent at 10:00 a.m. for a summertime treat!

Also, this Saturday, don't miss Ag Tourism Day with a special book signing by Jodi Helmer. Jodi's Farm Fresh Georgia is a go-to guide for visiting all of the great farms and agricultural events in our fair state (farmers markets, farm stands, farms, u-picks, kids' activities, lodging, dining, dairies, festivals, choose-and-cut Christmas trees, wineries, and more). In addition to picking Jodi's brain about all things agriculture, you can also sign up to tour our PRFM farmers' farms!


- Jennifer Maley

This week at PRFM

Chef Demo with E.J. Hodgkinson of JCT. Kitchen & Bar. To learn more about E.J. (and why you shouldn't miss his demo), check here. Also, Happy Nest Kids’ Activities. Visit the Happy Nest tent for family fun from 8:30 a.m. to noon!


- Jennifer Maley

Bringing the coast to PRFM

This week at PRFM…

Chef Demo with Craig Richards
of St. Cecilia
10:00 a.m. on 7/12
Chef Demos are sponsored by
COUNTRY Financial
Don't miss this week's demo with Craig Richards, chef de cuisine at Ford Fry’s latest hit restaurant, St. Cecilia. With a culinary pedigree that began with Pachamama’s in Kansas, then training with the “first lady of Italian cuisine,” Lidia Bastianich, and working as executive chef at Lidia’s in Pittsburgh, Richards knows how to create fresh, crave-worthy dishes. His Atlanta journey has included La Tavola Trattoria and Ecco before heading down the road to Buckhead for St. Cecilia, where he delivers tasty coastal European fare. Stop by this Saturday to see chef Richards' summer tips and tricks!

Special Guest
Holy Comforter Middle School Arts Program
Also this Saturday, check out The Friendship Center Arts Program, who will have representatives on hand to share about this initiative at Holy Comforter Church. The arts program offers a supportive studio environment that fosters creativity, self-direction, and mutual encouragement. A part-time arts director and a corps of volunteers offer skilled one-on-one instruction in painting, ceramics, woodworking, fiber arts, photography, and stained glass. Instruction caters to all ability levels, and the artists may sell their work at church and community art festivals. This program, with its individualized instruction, its freedom to pursue creative projects, and the opportunity for the artists to show and sell their work, instills a sense of confidence and self-worth.


- Jennifer Maley

Keeping it healthy this summer

First things first...thanks to all of the chefs, breweries, ticket buyers, and auction bidders who made our 2nd Annual Sunday Supper a success! Funds were raised for PRFM's Wholesome Wave program (doubling the value of SNAP benefits spent at local farmers markets) and our city-of-Atlanta-required police officer (helping pay for this part of the market so that we don’t have to pass on the additional cost to our vendors).

This week at PRFM...

Chef Demo at 10:00 a.m. with Jenn Robbins of Avalon Catering (check here to read about how awesome she is and why you won't want to miss this demo). Also, physicians from Piedmont Healthcare will be at the market offering free skin cancer checks from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Early detection is key in treating skin cancer—take care of you!

- Jennifer Maley

National favorite, local address

This week at PRFM...

What better way to spend a summer Saturday morning than at the farmers market: Chef Demo at 10:00 a.m. with Peter Dale of The National (one of Hugh Acheson's acclaimed Athens restaurants)—we've raved about him in the past, and so has Food & Wine magazine, naming Dale "The People’s Best New Chef Southeast" for 2012. Also, Chef Demo sponsor Country Financial will be on hand with free market tote bags, and we'll all relax to the sounds of live music and market shopping. Saturday made.


- Jennifer Maley

Sunday Supper is here! Also, cocktails.

This week at PRFM...

Don't miss our Cocktail Demo with rock star mixologist Paul Calvert of Paper Plane and Victory Sandwich Bar. Stop by this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. for a summertime refresher. Something else you won't want to miss? PRFM's Sunday Supper! Check out details below, and buy tickets at the market this Saturday (cash/check), at the Cathedral's atrium kiosk, or online (create an account and choose the "make a payment" option).

2nd Annual

PRFM Sunday Supper

June 22 at 5:30 p.m.

The Cathedral of St. Philip

Buy your tickets now for this fantastic event featuring food and drinks from Staplehouse, Restaurant Eugene, Kimball House, Miller Union, Grand Hyatt Buckhead, Avalon Catering, Eat Me Speak Me, Wrecking Bar, Venkmans, Lure, Red Brick Brewing Co., Storico Fresco, Little Tart Bakeshop, S&J Woodfire Pizza, Greendale Farm Cheese, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Eventide Brewing, and more! Plus, live music by Sailing to Denver and both a live and silent auction (including vacation stays in places as far as Italy and as close as Sea Island to fabulous wine dinners at some of the city’s best restaurants). Purchase tickets ($70) at the market this Saturday (cash/check), at the Cathedral's atrium kiosk, or online (create an account and choose the "make a payment" option).

This fundraiser pays for PRFM's Wholesome Wave program (supporting our local farmers, economy, and community by doubling the value of SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) spent at local farmers markets) and PRFM’s city-of-Atlanta-required police officer (helping us fund this part of the market so we don’t have to pass on the additional cost to our vendors by raising their fees).

- Jennifer Maley

Sunday Supper + this week's happenings

Coming soon!

2nd Annual
PRFM Sunday Supper
June 22 at 5:30 p.m.
The Cathedral of St. Philip
Buy your tickets now for this fantastic event featuring food and drinks from Staplehouse, Restaurant Eugene, Kimball House, Miller Union, Grand Hyatt Buckhead, Avalon Catering, Eat Me Speak Me, Wrecking Bar, Venkmans, Lure, Red Brick Brewing Co., Storico Fresco, Little Tart Bakeshop, S&J Woodfire Pizza, Greendale Farm Cheese, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Eventide Brewing, and more! Plus, live music by Sailing to Denver and both a live and silent auction (including vacation stays in places as far as Italy and as close as Sea Island to fabulous wine dinners at some of the city’s best restaurants). Tickets are $70. Purchase tickets online here (create an account and choose the "make a payment" option) or at the market. This fundraiser pays for PRFM's Wholesome Wave program (supporting our local farmers, economy, and community by doubling the value of SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) spent at local farmers markets) and PRFM’s city-of-Atlanta-required police officer (helping us fund this part of the market so we don’t have to pass on the additional cost to our vendors by raising their fees).

This week at PRFM...

Come by for this week's Chef Demo with Aaron Russell of Restaurant Eugene. Chef Russell has been recognized as one of the country's best pastry chefs, so we know it'll be sweet. Check out more from our post last year, and visit the demo tent this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. to see him in action!

Also this week, welcome back our canning expert Martha McMillin—she’ll be on hand from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to share tasty canning recipes and answer all of your questions about home canning—yes, you (can) CAN!


- Jennifer Maley

You'll want to pop up at PRFM this week!

This week at PRFM...

Jeffrey Morgan Photography

Don't miss our Chef Demo with Jarrett Stieber of pop-up restaurant and speakeasy Eat Me Speak Me. The alum of Empire State South, Abattoir, Holeman & Finch Public House, Restaurant Eugene, and Pura Vida has been called the "prince of pop-ups" by Atlanta Magazine for his recent successes at The General Muir and Gato Bizco. Stop by this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. to see Chef Stieber work some seasonal magic!

Also, check out the Happy Nest tent for kids' activities from 8:30 a.m. to noon, then head to the Ice Cream Social (details below)!

Slow Food ATL Ice Cream Social
June 7th from 12:15 to 2 p.m.
in the garden of St. Philip’s
Proceeds benefit the Atlanta Chapter of Slow Food International and the Peachtree Road Farmers Market
Taste the best frozen treats from Atlanta’s renowned local chefs and ambitious amateurs participating in the Eighth Annual Slow Food Ice Cream Social fundraiser! The event features over 30 delicious homemade ice cream and sorbet flavors made from fresh ingredients, and it’s a sell-out every year. Participants include chefs from Miller Union, St. Cecilia, Woodfire Grill, Empire State South, Five & Ten, Cakes & Ale, Local Three, 4th & Swift, Lusca, Seven Lamps, Pricci, Bantam + Biddy, Davio's, Livingston, Osteria Mattone, and more! Tickets, which include a taste of each flavor and a ballot to vote on your faves, are $15 for adults, $5 for children ages five to 10, and free for children under five. Purchase tickets online here or at the door until they sell out. Don’t forget to please BYOS (bring your own spoon)!

Coming soon...

2nd Annual
PRFM Sunday Supper
June 22 at 5:30 p.m.
The Cathedral of St. Philip
Featuring food and drinks from Staplehouse, Restaurant Eugene, Kimball House, Miller Union, Grand Hyatt Buckhead, Avalon Catering, Eat Me Speak Me, Wrecking Bar, Venkmans, Lure, Red Brick Brewing Co., Storico Fresco, Little Tart Bakeshop, S&J Woodfire Pizza, Greendale Farm Cheese, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Eventide Brewing, and more! Plus, live music by Sailing to Denver and both a live and silent auction. Tickets are $70. Purchase tickets online here (create an account and choose the "make a payment" option) or at the market. This fundraiser pays for PRFM's Wholesome Wave program (supporting our local farmers, economy, and community by doubling the value of SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) spent at local farmers markets) and PRFM’s city-of-Atlanta-required police officer (helping us fund this part of the market so we don’t have to pass on the additional cost to our vendors by raising their fees).


- Jennifer Maley

Market Staycation

This week at PRFM...

Chef Demo with David Gross
of Cook Hall
10:00 a.m. on 5/31
Chef Demos are sponsored by
COUNTRY Financial
Chef Gross has been holding it down in Buckhead since leading the kitchen at the W Hotel's MARKET and now at Cook Hall, where he's continued to use fresh, seasonal ingredients to impress Atlanta locals and visitors, alike. His background includes an education from the Culinary Institute of America and stints at the Atlanta Ritz-Carlton, City Grill, Pricci, Bluepointe, Horizon, Blue Ridge Grill, Bone's Restaurant, and even a global training at the historic Hotel Chateau Gütsch in Lucerne, Switzerland. No need to pack your bags to take a little adventure this Saturday—just stop by the demo tent and pull up a chair!

Coming soon...

Slow Food ATL Ice Cream Social
June 7th from 12:15 to 2 p.m.
in the garden of St. Philip’s
Proceeds benefit the Atlanta Chapter of Slow Food International and the Peachtree Road Farmers Market
Buy your tickets now to taste the best frozen treats from Atlanta’s renowned local chefs and ambitious amateurs participating in the Eighth Annual Slow Food Ice Cream Social fundraiser! The event features 30 delicious homemade ice cream and sorbet flavors made from fresh ingredients, and it’s a sell-out every year. Participants include chefs from Miller Union, St. Cecilia, Woodfire Grill, Empire State South, Five & Ten, Cakes & Ale, Local Three, 4th & Swift, Lusca, Seven Lamps, Pricci, Bantam + Biddy, Davio's, Livingston, Osteria Mattone, and more! Tickets, which include a taste of each flavor and a ballot to vote on your faves, are $15 for adults, $5 for children ages five to 10, and free for children under five. Purchase tickets online here. Don’t forget to please BYOS (bring your own spoon)!

2nd Annual
PRFM Sunday Supper
June 22 at 5:30 pm
The Cathedral of St. Philip
Featuring food and drinks from Staplehouse, Restaurant Eugene, Kimball House, Miller Union, Grand Hyatt Buckhead, Avalon Catering, Eat Me Speak Me, Wrecking Bar, Venkmans, Lure, Red Brick Brewing Co., Storico Fresco, Little Tart Bakeshop, S&J Woodfire Pizza, Greendale Farm Cheese, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Eventide Brewing, and more! Plus, live music by Sailing to Denver and both a live and silent auction. Tickets are $70. Purchase tickets online here (create an account and choose the "make a payment" option) or at the market. This fundraiser pays for PRFM's Wholesome Wave program (supporting our local farmers, economy, and community by doubling the value of SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) spent at local farmers markets) and PRFM’s city-of-Atlanta-required police officer (helping us fund this part of the market so we don’t have to pass on the additional cost to our vendors by raising their fees).


- Jennifer Maley

Demo, ice cream, and Sunday Supper! Oh, my!

This week at PRFM...

Don't miss the Chef Demo with Zeb Stevenson of PARISH at 10:00 a.m. For more on Chef Zeb, check out our previous posts about him and his love of all things local! (Photo Credit: Heidi Geldhauser, Our Labor of Love)

Coming soon...

Slow Food ATL Ice Cream Social
June 7th from 12:15 to 2 p.m.
in the garden of St. Philip’s
Proceeds benefit the Atlanta Chapter of Slow Food International and the Peachtree Road Farmers Market
Buy your tickets now to taste the best frozen treats from Atlanta’s renowned local chefs and ambitious amateurs participating in the Eighth Annual Slow Food Ice Cream Social fundraiser! The event features 30 delicious homemade ice cream and sorbet flavors made from fresh ingredients, and it’s a sell-out every year. Participants include chefs from Miller Union, St. Cecilia, Woodfire Grill, Empire State South, Five & Ten, Cakes & Ale, Local Three, 4th & Swift, Lusca, Seven Lamps, Pricci, Bantam + Biddy, Davio's, Livingston, Osteria Mattone, and more! Tickets, which include a taste of each flavor and a ballot to vote on your faves, are $15 for adults, $5 for children ages five to 10, and free for children under five. Purchase tickets online here. Don’t forget to please BYOS (bring your own spoon)!

2nd Annual 
PRFM Sunday Supper
June 22 at 5:30 pm
The Cathedral of St. Philip
Featuring food and drinks from Staplehouse, Restaurant Eugene, Kimball House, Miller Union, Grand Hyatt Buckhead, Avalon Catering, Eat Me Speak Me, Wrecking Bar, Venkmans, Lure, Red Brick Brewing Co., Storico Fresco, Little Tart Bakeshop, S&J Woodfire Pizza, Greendale Farm Cheese, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Eventide Brewing, and more! Plus, live music by Sailing to Denver and both a live and silent auction. Tickets are $70. Purchase tickets online here (create an account and choose the "make a payment" option) or at the market. This fundraiser pays for PRFM's Wholesome Wave program (supporting our local farmers, economy, and community by doubling the value of SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) spent at local farmers markets) and PRFM’s city-of-Atlanta-required police officer (helping us fund this part of the market so we don’t have to pass on the additional cost to our vendors by raising their fees).


- Jennifer Maley

Join us for Sunday Supper!

Just add Salt(yard)

This week at PRFM...
Country Financial will be on hand with free market bags featuring this year's winning design, plus a chance to win a $50 PRFM gift certificate! Also check out live music by Alex Gordon.

Chef Demo with Nick Leahy
of Saltyard
10:00 a.m. on 5/17
Chef Demos are sponsored by
COUNTRY Financial
Chef Nick Leahy is one worldly chef. He was born in Bermuda and grew up in England before moving to Atlanta in elementary school. With a mother who's half-French, he was exposed early on to delicacies like duck confit and knew even then that he wanted to be a chef. His culinary career has included stints at Food Studio, Two Urban Licks, Stats, and Parish, among others. But it was in 2011 that he and his wife really took an international leap of faith, traveling (and eating around) Europe and Africa for six months, then living in London for a year. In London, Leahy served as executive chef at Daylesford Organic, a restaurant that sources ingredients from its own farm. He brought back from abroad an even richer global perspective and a strengthened commitment to all things local and organic. Just down the road from PRFM, he opened his own restaurant, Saltyard, almost a year ago. Stop by the demo tent this Saturday to catch up with the chef!

Save the date...

Slow Food ATL Ice Cream Social
June 7th from 12:15 to 2 p.m.
in the garden of St. Philip’s
Proceeds benefit the Atlanta Chapter of Slow Food International and the Peachtree Road Farmers Market
Buy your tickets now to taste the best frozen treats from Atlanta’s renowned local chefs and ambitious amateurs participating in the Eighth Annual Slow Food Ice Cream Social fundraiser! The event features nearly 30 delicious homemade ice cream and sorbet flavors made from fresh ingredients, and it’s a sell-out every year. Participants include chefs from Miller Union, St. Cecilia, Woodfire Grill, Empire State South, Five & Ten, Cakes & Ale, Local Three, 4th & Swift, Lusca, Seven Lamps, Pricci, Bantam + Biddy, Davio's, Livingston, Osteria Mattone, and more! Tickets, which include a taste of each flavor and a ballot to vote on your faves, are $15 for adults, $5 for children ages five to 10, and free for children under five. Purchase tickets online here. Don’t forget to please BYOS (bring your own spoon)!


- Jennifer Maley

A market any mother would love

This week at PRFM...
Mother’s Day weekend is here. Don’t worry, PRFM has got you covered. Pick up some flowers and jewelry plus all the fixings (strawberries and asparagus, maybe?) for a super-impressive brunch that any lady is sure to love almost as much as she loves you.

Chef Demo with Chris Hall
of Local Three
10:00 a.m. on 5/10
Chef Demos are sponsored by
COUNTRY Financial
We've said it before, but it's worth saying again: Chris Hall is good people. The self-taught chef is managing partner of Local Three, a founder of The Giving Kitchen, and a partner of Staplehouse (the upcoming restaurant is his fourth Atlanta venture). Stop by the demo tent this Saturday to check out a chef that we're sure makes mama proud.

Master Gardeners
These experts will be on hand to share tips and help you grow your garden! Get advice on how to use our farmers' transplants to create or add to your veggie patch. Got a garden question? Go ahead, let them help you identify that mystery plant or figure out why your azalea just won’t bloom.

Save the date!
Our 2nd Annual Sunday Supper is June 22 at 5:30 pm at The Cathedral of St. Philip. Featuring ten chefs cooking their take on "Sunday supper," plus local breweries, wine, live music, and an outstanding auction. Tickets are $70 and available online here (create an account and choose the "make a payment" option). Watch for more details!


- Jennifer Maley

Southern Springtime

This week at PRFM...

Photo by Heidi Geldhauser

Chef Demo with Woody Back
of Table & Main
10:00 a.m. on 5/3
Chef Demos are sponsored by
COUNTRY Financial
Kentucky native Woody Back isn't just one of the nicest people you'll meet. He also happens to have some serious chef chops, from his devotion to responsibly sourced ingredients to his work with folks like Tom Colicchio and Linton Hopkins, he is the real deal. Join him under the demo tent this Saturday for some real tasty tips.

Happy Nest Kids’ Activities
Check out the Happy Nest tent for family fun from 8:30 a.m. to noon!


- Jennifer Maley

Celebrate with us this Saturday!

This week at PRFM we celebrate our seventh birthday in style! Join us for the announcement of our reusable bag design contest winner, birthday cake and hats, farm animals, and chef demo by our founder Linton Hopkins (we thought he was busy last year, but this year he's launching Eugene Kitchen—bringing his restaurants' from-scratch pantry products to the masses—and a pre-prohibition style beer in collaboration with Red Hare Brewing). Cheers, y'all!


- Jennifer Maley

PRFM Reusable Bag Design Update

PRFM Bag Design Winner To Be Announced,
Birthday Celebration Planned for April 26

The Peachtree Road Farmers Market and COUNTRY Financial are gearing up for a party on Sat., April 26 as the Market celebrates its seventh birthday and COUNTRY announces the winner of this year’s reusable bag design contest.

Three Atlanta high school students have been selected as finalists for the “Grow Your Own Way” themed bag design contest. The finalists are:

· Kinley Davis, 9th grade, Grady High School
· Tahj Mitchell, 11th grade, Mays High School
· Mei Nathan, 9th grade, Grady High School

The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship from COUNTRY; the two runner-ups will receive a $500 scholarship.

The winning design will be unveiled during the Market’s seventh birthday celebration, which will include cake, birthday hats and a singing of “Happy Birthday.”

A demonstration by Chef Linton Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene is also planned, along with a visit from our farm animal friends featuring baby goats, chickens and a pony, weather permitting.

For more information on the contest, visit www.CountryFarmersMarkets.com.

About COUNTRY Financial
COUNTRY Financial (www.countryfinancial.com) serves about one million households and businesses throughout the United States. It offers a full range of financial products and services from auto, home and life insurance to retirement planning services, investment management and annuities.

About Peachtree Road Farmers Market
Founded in 2007, Peachtree Road Farmers Market is the largest producer-only farmers market in Georgia. Peachtree Road Farmers Market is proud to have more GA farmers selling their own goods than anywhere else in state. Housed in the parking lot of The Cathedral of St. Philip, this centrally-located weekly market brings the community together around local food. To learn more about how Peachtree Road Farmers Market aims to grow, nourish and inspire the community, become a Twitter follower, Facebook fan, blog reader and visit http://www.peachtreeroadfarmersmarket.com

Spring is in the air (and at the market)

This week at PRFM...

Stock up on Easter treats this Saturday! Obviously eggs and carrots. But what about pea shoots to add flavor and color to any dish? We've got what you need for a perfect spring meal, savory or sweet, so hop on over. Also, come early to see David Bromstad of HGTV's Design Star and Color Splash filming a piece about how awesome the farmers market is! Also, live music.

Chef Demo with Adrian Villarreal
of The Spence
10:00 a.m. on 4/19
Chef Demos are sponsored by
COUNTRY Financial
You’ve heard of Richard Blais? Check. You’ve heard of his buzzed-about restaurant The Spence? Check. Here’s the chef that Blais trusts to craft an ever-changing, whimsical menu inspired by what’s fresh now. Adrian Villarreal brings to the table family inspiration (from Mexico) and classic training (from Le Cordon Bleu Paris). Growing up he prepared large family meals with his grandmothers and great aunt, then worked part time at his uncle’s restaurant. After graduation in Paris, Villarreal gained experience at Le Doyenne and La Maree before heading to the U.S. for a show-stopping start as chef de partie with Atlanta’s much-acclaimed (and much-missed) Joël. He later worked as executive chef at TAP before joining Blais at The Spence. Check out his demo this Saturday and pick up a couple new tricks (we’ve heard he’s got a few up his sleeves). You'll also pick up a spicy mushroom taco with pea shoots, spring onions, and herbs.


- Jennifer Maley

Demo + Corn Pups = Saturday Made

This week at PRFM...

Chef Demo with Terry Koval 
of Wrecking Bar Brewpub 
10:00 a.m. on 4/12 
Chef Demos are sponsored by 
COUNTRY Financial  
Professional skateboarder. That was 2013 Market Mash-Up winner Terry Koval’s first dream, one that led him to San Francisco from his home in Greenville, SC. Good thing for us he changed course in career—thanks to the California farm-to-table movement—and in location—heading back to the South and joining us here in Atlanta. He’s since worked at local favorites like Buckhead Diner, Canoe (with mentor Gary Mennie), and both Lobby and Room at TWELVE. PRFM fans of Farm Burger might be interested to know that Chef Koval was a creative force in conceptualizing those delicious grass-fed burgers. He now brings his love of all things local and seasonal to Wrecking Bar Brewpub, where his menu is accented by house-brewed craft beer and a revitalized historic building. He’s not just inspired at work, either—his family’s got four chickens at home (Puffy, Poppins, Snowflake, and Buttercup). Don't miss this Saturday's demo, when chef Terry will show us how to whip up a spring salad with beer mustard vinaigrette. 

After you check out the demo, look for the chef's pop-up tent, where chef Terry will have Riverview Farms cheddarwurst corn pups on offer for just $3 a pup!


- Jennifer Maley

April 5 is Opening Day!

It just doesn't feel like spring has sprung until Peachtree Road Farmers Market opens for the season. Good thing that’s happening. This Saturday. So ready your shopping bags, y’all, cause it’s going to be a great year at the Cathedral of St. Philip. The eighth season will welcome a few new faces: Serenbe Farms (certified organic produce), ColdLife Organic Juices (made with locally grown veggies), Earth Biscuit Crackers (hand-cut, flavored crackers), Verdant Kitchen (certified organic ginger and turmeric = ginger snaps, ginger ale, ginger syrup, and ginger bites), and Garnish & Gather (meal kits featuring local ingredients from PRFM farmers).Check out all of our vendors here and come on by to meet them this Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Opening Day Happenings
Join us at 8:30 for the opening bell and blessing.

Happy Nest Kids’ Activities
Check out the Happy Nest tent for family fun from 8:30 a.m. to noon!

Photo: Our Labor of Love

Chef Demo at 10:00 a.m.
with Jeb Aldrich of 4th & Swift
Chef Demos are sponsored by
COUNTRY Financial
Like father, like son? If we're talking about two of our city's best chef talents...then, yes. Not only is Jeb Aldrich the chef de cuisine at 4th & Swift, he happens to be the son of its executive chef and owner Jay Swift. And though cooking might be in the blood, Jeb's also got some proven sweat in the game (we can't speak to the tears): classically trained at Johnson & Wales, stints at Charleston’s Peninsula Grill and Atlanta’s Rainwater, Canoe, and much-lauded Joël, plus work in Austria and Italy, to be exact. Five years ago he joined his dad at 4th & Swift to create seasonal menus from the highest quality ingredients. Stop by the demo tent this Saturday—it’ll be almost like sitting on 4th & Swift’s new patio, only with a few more friends and farmers around.


- Jennifer Maley

Opening Day and Reusable Bag Design Contest

Join us on April 5th from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm for opening day! PRFM also welcomes back the second annual Reusable Bag Design Contest, calling all students to submit designs for this year’s market totes by Friday, March 14.

In partnership with the Peachtree Road Farmers Market, COUNTRY Financial is excited to announce the second annual Peachtree Road Farmers Market Reusable Bag Design Contest. The competition presents an opportunity for students to showcase their talent on reusable shopping bags that will be distributed at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market throughout the season.

This year’s theme is “Grow Your Own Way.” Students are asked to include imagery inspired by the spring/summer season and the corresponding regional market goods, such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc. We also ask participants to illustrate the spirit of the city. Designs must include the words “2014 Peachtree Road Farmers Market.”

The reusable shopping bags are part of the Peachtree Road Farmers Market initiative to promote healthy, environmentally friendly communities. Thousands of farmers market attendees will receive these custom designed tote bags this season, free of charge.

The student who submits the winning design will receive a $1,000 scholarship and the opportunity to have his/her artwork displayed on reusable shopping bags distributed throughout the city. Additionally, two runners-up will each receive a $500 scholarship. These designs will be unveiled on April 26 at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market, and the three finalists will be invited to attend.

Download the entry form and full contest instructions and official rules here. Entries must be submitted to the address below by Friday, March 14 at 4 p.m. EDT. If the entry is being sent by mail, please allow sufficient time for delivery by due date. If received after the deadline, there is no guarantee the artwork will be eligible. Winners will be notified through their schools or via phone/email the week of March 17.

Peachtree Road Farmers Market Office
2744 Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA 30305