cordele state farmers market

The Cordele Farmer's Market is a true FARMER'S market, not just a small immitation, and one of, if not the, largest markets in Georgia. Area farmers from several surrounding counties transport their commodities here to sell, mostly to large buyers, but also to individuals. Cordele is the watermelon capital of the world, a title earned based on pounds of melons sold and quality & taste of melons. During peak season, you can get 'fresh from the field' watermelons, cantaloupes, tomatoes, peas, beans, corn, etc. in many different varieties. You can also barter for a good price, which is the most fun! You can ride around the rows of parked trucks and trailers loaded with watermelons or cantaloupes, stop and get out, or just roll your window down, and yell "How much for 5?", to which you'll hear "$3.00", to which you'll answer, "will you take $1.50", and so it goes. If you don't agree on a price, just ride along to another seller. As a teenager, I hauled many a load of watermelons to this market. Now, I visit as an individual, buying fresh fruits and vegetables for my family and sometimes friends. I still get excited with anticipation of what I'll find that day, pulling through those huge sliding gates. If you're traveling along I-75 and you're going through Cordele in Crisp County, GA, between late May and September, take an hour and visit this market.

I was on my way home from vacation and I wanted to stop and find some fresh peas. We stopped in Cordele, where my pea dreams came true, I got a bag of mixed peas, clean, unmashed and trash free. Saw beautiful tomatoes of all sizes, peaches and watermelons, but my eye was on the fellow with the peas. Smith Farms is all I know at this point, but he said they would have peas until late fall. I may go back.