Apparently someone felt like they needed to teach the Atlanta farmer’s markets a lesson.

Meridith Ford Goldman writes from beyond the AJC paycheck that two formal complaints have prompted the city of Atlanta to crackdown on five of the city’s farmer’s markets (Morningside Farmers Market, East Lake Market, East Atlanta Village Market, Peachtree Road Farmers Market and SWOOM (Southwest Outdoor Organic Market).

And while the city of Atlanta has stated it wants to work with the farmer’s markets to come up with new specific regulations, for now it sounds like the new world of red-tape will result in some new fees and costs usually reserved for for-profit markets.

After hearing the news about the Decatur Farmer’s Market’s new Saturday time-slot, I followed up with a couple of questions; including asking about major hurdle of getting farmers on a Saturday morning when the popular Morningside market is in full swing.

Here’s Nicole Coleson’s response…

There are a few motivations. For the most part, the local community has been asking for it for years and the City is taking a more active role. Also, there are more farmers now then there used to be. Morningside is very well established and has a waiting list for farmers. We are attempting to do two things; provide an opportunity for the new farmers, and get Morningside farmers to participate in both markets. This has proven to be a challenge to staff but we have had some interest in dual-participation. If you know of any farmers or people interested in staffing a booth let me know.

But for now, we have a critical mass to get up and running. The other good thing is that we have organic coffee, bread, and pastries which have great appeal.

The Decatur Farmer’s Market website now also has a map showing exactly where the market will take place at the Trinity/McDonough intersection.  View it after the jump.
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According to one farmer, we put our money where our mouth is…unlike some OTHER markets.

See this Atlanta Magazine video…[h/t InDecatur]

I say we challenge Morningside to a farmer’s market spending contest.  Whoever spends more on average per person gets the coveted Saturday slot.