What could be better than the luxury of buying fine fresh produce from the grocery store? Buying it straight from the farmers that grew it, of course.

Northeast Georgia residents will have no problems finding locally grown produce and farm goods close to home this spring, summer and maybe a little bit of fall.

The Original Hall County Farmers Market

Hall County’s oldest farmers market off Jesse Jewell Parkway near the Interstate 985 interchange has been supplying Hall County with produce for more than 40 years. Visitors to the venue at 734 E. Crescent Drive in Gainesville may buy a wide variety of vegetables, beans, eggs, honey and baked goods from area sellers. The market is open from 2:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

According to their website, Hall County’s oldest farmers market prides itself on being a “farmers only” nonprofit organization, accepting produce from area farm operations.

This year, the farmers market is having a different weekly produce “theme” with samples available during May and June. On May 21, freshly picked strawberries will be on hand. On May 24, the market will make a “giant salad” with toppings from local farmers in celebration of national salad month. On May 28, the market Taste Test Kitchen will prepare a spicy cauliflower stir-fry over rice and hand out samples at 10 a.m.

To close out the month, the market will offer free shoe shines for all veterans May 31 in honor of Memorial Day. Plus, the test kitchen will hand out samples of Thai vegetable curry stir-fry at 3 p.m.

Next month, pancakes with strawberry marmalade or blueberry rhubarb jam will be served at 7:30 p.m. June 4. The market will serve pound cake with ice cream on June 7 for National Chocolate Ice Cream Day. And the market will serve BLTs made with local lettuce and handmade breads on June 11.

For more information, visit www.hallcountyfarmersmarket.org.

Gainesville Farmers Market

Like the county’s farmers market, the Gainesville Farmers Market is a local farmers-only operation. Some of the vendors offering fruit, vegetables, fresh meat and preserves include Shooks Family Farm of Cleveland, Roberts Family Blueberry Farm of Clermont, Bramberi Farm & Garden of  Murrayville and Presley’s Farm & Garden of Maysville.

But unlike other farmers markets, the former Historic Downtown Gainesville Market on the Square feels like a mini festival, with music, food and handmade crafts.

The Gainesville Farmers Market will open Friday, May 27, and close in October. Hours are 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Fridays.

For more information, visit www.hallfarmers.org.

Clarkesville Farmers Market

Residents living north of Hall will not miss out of the fresh produce. In Habersham County, the Clarkesville Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday from May through October at 583 Grant St. in front of the Old Clarkesville Mill.

Its website boasts the market is the best way to spend a Saturday morning.

Every one of the farmers live less than, “a quarter tank of gas from the market,” the website said. It also emphasizes the produce is chemical free and their artisanal foods are locally made, offering everything from melons to soap.

For more information, visit www.clarkesvillefarmersmarket.com or call 706-778-9374.

Dahlonega Farmers Market

In Lumpkin County, the Dahlonega Farmers Market is open from 2-6 p.m. Tuesdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays in Hancock Park on the historic Dahlonega square.

Sellers from all across the North Georgia area gather in the park to sell a wide variety of produce from berries to freshly cut flowers.

For more information, call 706-482-2707 or visit dahlonega.org/attractions-4/u-pick-farms-orchards/565-farmers-market

Dawson County Farmers Market

The Dawson County Farmers Market is still over a month away from opening. But produce will begin to be sold from 7:30-10 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays in July. The farmers market takes place at the Dawson County Agricultural Service Center, 298 Academy Ave., Dawsonville

For more information, visit ugaextension.org/county-offices/dawson/agriculture-and-natural-resources/Farmers-Market.

Cultivators’ Market

Cultivators’ Market at the Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm, like the Gainesville Farmers Market is part market and part event, with live music, games, and demonstrations of farming practices. Open every third Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Cultivators Market offers a variety of fresh produce, jams, baked goods, and handcrafted items. The market is located at 2355 Ethridge Road, Jefferson.

For more information, visit shieldsethridgefarminc.com/visit/cultivators-market

Suwanee Farmers Market

The Suwanee Farmers Market is celebrating its 12th season. Like many others, it is open now from 8 a.m. to noon every Sunday until October. The market is located at 330 Town Center Ave, Suwanee.

For more information, visit www.suwanee.com/whatsnew.farmersmarket.