At 66 years old, the Atlanta State Farmer’s Market is in need of a major face-lift.

Its marquee hovering over I-75 is the first visible indication that what has been described as the “world’s largest fruit and vegetable stand” is in disrepair.

“The framework around [the sign] is coming loose. And that sign is flapping back and forth,” Robert McQueen said, pointing up to the sign. “And every time we get a head of wind, man, that thing is dangerous.”

McQueen has worked at the market since 1980. He sells plants and other nursery products at Shed 31, a wooden enclosure directly under the market sign. 

“They fixed it once about 15 years ago, but it’s fallen apart,” he said. “ I’ve been in touch with the maintenance department. But it’s always about money.”

Money might not be an issue much longer. 

The market — one of the largest in the Southeast if not the nation —  is slated to get a $50 million makeover. It’s a line item in Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposed Capital Projects Fund Grant Program set forth in his amended fiscal year 2024 budget. It is the first major renovation of the 150-acre complex since it opened in Forest Park on Jan. 19, 1958, state agriculture officials said.

McQueen welcomed the news: “They need it to do repairs.”

Many of the buildings, sheds and open-air shelters where food is displayed need painting, repairing or replacing. The facilities at the complex have about 1.5 million square feet of space, according to the state agriculture department. Most of them were built in the 1950s and 1960s and haven’t had significant updates since they were built, state agriculture officials said.

The Forest Park complex is part of a network of nine state farmers markets providing fresh produce and other foods throughout Georgia and the Southeast. These markets bring in over $1 billion in sales yearly. 

“The Atlanta State Farmer’s Market is in need of significant capital investment, and we’re grateful Gov. Kemp and the General Assembly recognize that need,” Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper told State Affairs. “These much-needed funds will allow us to address a decadeslong backlog of deferred maintenance while also making large-scale improvements to many of our aging facilities, safety and security upgrades, and updating critical infrastructure so vendors and customers can have a positive experience.”

Gov. Kemp has proposed $50 million for the Atlanta Farmers’ Market in the state budget. @lvjoyner spoke to Veronica Davis about why the market is a critical resource in the community. #gapol pic.twitter.com/kV3bkMAVyu

— State Affairs Georgia (@StateAffairsGA) January 25, 2024

The market sits in Rep. Rhonda Burnough’s district. The Democrat who represents Riverdale said the facility needs across-the-board repairs given the trucks and traffic that continually pass through the complex. 

The money is “going to be a windfall for them to be able to do some much-needed work so they can continue to be the largest,” she said.  

The complex, which operates round-the-clock, 365 days a year, has supplied the South with everything from apples to zucchini for six decades. It has over 90 businesses, including large wholesale produce operations that sell to grocery stores, restaurants and other produce dealers. The smaller  businesses typically operate out of the sheds and stalls, selling products directly to consumers.

What’s not grown locally or in the state comes from Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela and other countries in the off-season. The market supplies not only  grocery stores and restaurants but also schools and prisons, as well as visitors like Veronica Davis of Conyers.

“It’s more affordable here, and there’s so much to choose from,” Davis told State Affairs. She came to the market to get “vegetables for juicing.” Davis purchased radishes, beets, six zucchini, an apple and three fresh coconuts, one of which was promptly opened by the vendor so she could sip the water. She paid about $10 for the produce.

“That’s great,” Davis said when she learned the market would get a $50 million infusion for renovations. “You look around and you can tell it’s definitely needed. The farmers will definitely like that.” While she spoke, 18-wheelers drove through the complex where open-air shelters brimmed with seasonal vegetables.

The renovations have been a long time coming. State House representatives created a study committee in 2017 to determine ways to revamp the aging complex.

At that time, “We were able to get some money in the budget to do some of the repairs but not all of them,” said former Rep. Valencia Stovall, who chaired the committee. “When we had the study committee, we were looking at how to make it even more efficient, getting the products moved through the trucks and the roadway. So just to hear that Gov. Kemp and the legislature are looking at designating that much-needed money, and because agriculture is our No. 1 commodity in the state, I think it’s great. A lot more can be done over there.”

State Rep. Sandra Scott, D-Rex, said the proposed money “is a great start.”

“It’s been a long time coming,” Scott told State Affairs. “The farmers market has a lot of land out there. It would bring a lot of business to Clayton County, Forest Park and that area because people come from all over for the farmers market. It would be a big support if they could get some eateries where people can go and sit down and eat while they’re shopping. I’m just hoping they have a master plan.”

The timing is right as more people look for ways to eat healthier without spending a lot of money, Scott said.

“I’m really big on growing and eating your own,” she added. “You hear more and more people talk about fresh food and farm-to-table, and a lot of people are getting into gardening. All of this is good.”

Have questions? Contact Tammy Joyner on X @lvjoyner or at [email protected].

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