What started out as an outlet for vendors to sell fresh produce and locally sourced products in Tucker has now turned into a Thursday community gathering place.
Nancy Qarmout started the market in 2012 with seven vendors in the Bank of America parking lot on Main Street. As the number of vendors and customers grew, the need for a larger space precipitated the move to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church on Lavista Road in 2019, where there were shady spaces and ample parking.
Today, 25 to 30 vendors sell their wares at the weekly market running through the end of October, and it has evolved into a venue where the community congregates and listens to live music while buying fresh produce, farm eggs, baked goods, local meats, flowers, food-truck fare, and fresh-pressed juices.
“We come every week,” said Jill Austin, who has lived in the Tucker area for 35 years. “We make the rounds and try to buy something from everyone – we like to share the love.”
On the top of her list are Georgia peaches from the Pearson Farm booth, as well as local zucchini and squash.
“Everyone is always so happy to see you, and we love to support local vendors,” Austin said.
Cotina Singleton of Cotina’s Gourmet is in her third year as a vendor at the market. She sells individual and four-packs of her key lime pies in Tucker, as well as other markets in Smyrna, Alpharetta, and Dunwoody.
“I get attached to all of my markets, but I do love the setup and energy at this market,” Singleton said.
Several new vendors have debuted this season, including Samurai Bodega-Japanese Grab & Go, selling fresh-made Onigiri (rice ball), sandwiches, miso soups, vegan kimchi, along with other vegan and gluten-free options.
Another newcomer to the market is Athens-based Andrews Acres, which sells “all things mushrooms,” according to owner Patrick Andrews, including mushroom coffee, tinctures, and powders along with five different varieties of mushrooms.
Qarmout said one little-known fact about the market is that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program( SNAP) and Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) vouchers are accepted at the market, with an added bonus – the market will double benefits for fresh fruits and vegetables.
“This market has such great energy, with lots of families coming every week,” she said. “And St. Andrews has been so gracious to host us.”
The Tucker Farmers Market, located at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church at 4882 Lavista Road, operates from 4-7 p.m. each Thursday.
