So many restaurants around town have embraced a “farm fresh” philosophy on their menus, and chefs are using as many local fruits and vegetables picked at the peak of their ripeness as possible. But you don’t have to go to a fine dining establishment to enjoy those same benefits. All you have to do is head to one of Atlanta’s many local farmers markets to pick up fresh fruits and veggies grown right here in our community. The produce for sale at these markets was probably just picked, so it’s crisp, flavorful, and loaded with vitamins, nutrients and fiber–way more than anything you’ll find in the supermarket. In fact, Georgia Organics says the average distance food travels from farm to plate is 1,500 miles, and during that week-long delivery trip, sugars can turn to starches, plant cells shrink and produce loses its vitality. So it just makes sense to buy produce grown right here from one of our neighborhood markets; after all, it tastes better, it supports our local farmers and it’s better for you.

Alpharetta Farmers Market This public market is held every Saturday morning from May through mid-October. Vendors sell everything from fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers and plants, and all types of desserts, to local raw honey, homemade sauces and jellies. Held in the big parking lot next to City Hall on Main Street. alpharettafarmersmarket.com.

Chastain Park Green Market This is the first year of the Chastain Park Green Market, which includes items from local growers like honey, baked goods and jams, as well as handcrafted art. Saturdays from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Horseradish Grill, 4320 Powers Ferry Road. affps.com.

Decatur Farmers Market This popular Wednesday afternoon market sells locally grown, organic and sustainable produce and flowers, as well as other organic bread, jam and sauces. And this year Decatur will add a Saturday morning market beginning May 15 that will be located at the corner of Trinity Place and McDonough Street. The Wednesday market is still held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the corner of Commerce Drive and Church Street. decaturfarmersmarket.com.

East Atlanta Village Farmers Market Every Thursday in May to November, you can get fruits and vegetables, dairy and eggs, processed goods, and arts and crafts from local vendors that follow East Atlanta Village’s environmental, social and economic integrity philosophy. The market is open from 4 p.m. to dusk in the parking lot of Village Hardware at 1231 Glenwood Ave. farmeav.com.

East Lake Farmers Market Residents of the East Lake neighborhood reclaimed the former crime-ridden corner of Hosea Williams Drive and Second Avenue and turned it into the East Lake Farmers Market. Now in its second year, ELF features local produce, herbs and food products from small farmers every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May to October. eastlakefarmersmarket.com.

Farmers Atlanta Road Market St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church hosts this market every Tuesday evening in May through September from 4 to 8 p.m. Here you can find everything from eggs, honey, flowers and plants to pasta, meats, cheese, artisan breads, pastries and baked goods, and it’s all locally grown or produced. 2160 Cooper Lake Road, Smyrna. stbenedicts.episcopalatlanta.org.

Green Market at Piedmont Park This popular open-air market features locally grown produce, artisan cheeses, gourmet sauces, coffee and tea, as well as two chef demonstrations every week. It’s held every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Piedmont Park’s 12th Street entrance gate from May 1 to Dec. 11. piedmontpark.org.

Marietta Square Farmers Market Every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until noon, the historic Marietta Square has an average of 58 vendors selling everything from heirloom tomatoes, squash and beans to local honey, herbal soaps and even organic dog biscuits. Held from May through December between Shillings Restaurant and The Strand Theatre. mariettasquarefarmersmarket.net.

Morningside Farmers’ Market This Morningside market has been a favorite of farmers and chefs since the late ’80s. Today it still features only locally grown, organic vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs, plus soaps, herbal products, pottery and other crafts. Open every Saturday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. with cooking demonstrations by local chefs at 9:30 a.m. 1393 N. Highland Ave. in the parking lot across from Alon’s Bakery. morningsidemarket.com.

Peachtree Road Farmers Market Co-founded by Linton and Gina Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene and Holeman & Finch, and Dean Sam Candler and Vicar George Maxwell of the Cathedral of St. Philip, the Peachtree Road Farmers Market features products grown, raised or made by the sellers–think farm eggs, breads and pastries, artisan cheeses, fresh milk, herbs, fair-trade coffee and more. Plus the 2010 season will feature 30 chef demos and free yoga classes on the lawn. Held every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through Dec. 18 at the Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road. peachtreeroadfarmersmarket.com.

Sandy Springs Farmers Market This season will be the first for the Sandy Springs Farmers Market. The weekly market will be held Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and plans to offer specialty foods like jams, jellies, pesto, granola and salsa, as well as local dairy products, fresh-baked bread and other artisan products. 235 Sandy Springs Circle. sandyspringsfarmersmarket.com.

Serenbe Farmers Artist Market This eclectic market features small, local and sustainable growers and artists every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until noon at the Serenbe community just south of Atlanta. From May through October, you can find a variety of organic fruits, herbs and vegetables, as well as fresh flowers, art and other non-food items. 8457 Atlanta Newnan Road, Chattahoochee Hills. serenbefarms.com.

Snellville Farmers Market This brand-new market in Gwinnett County opens June 5, and will be held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at Snellville City Hall. Vendors will sell fresh produce, meats, eggs, cheese, artisan breads and baked goods, homemade jams and jellies, honey and fresh flowers. 2342 Oak Road, Snellville. snellville.org.