By Alissa Pantuosco
Alissa Pantuosco is a Farm to School Intern with the Community Collaborations team at Georgia Organics
In light of Georgia Organics’ October Farm to School Month Campaign, Pepper Palooza, we are highlighting local pepper farmers and their farms around Georgia. With all the excitement about Pepper Palooza, you may be wondering, where can I buy local peppers? Well, you’ve come to the ripe place! Check out our list of wonderful Georgia farms that grow with sustainability you can support by pickin’ up some tasty, high-quality peppers.
STARLIT ROOTS FARM (Keysville, Georgia)
Tianna Neal, farmer at Starlit Roots Farm in Keysville, GA, grows various types of sweet and hot peppers. The sweet peppers she grows include California Wonder, Iko Iko, sweet banana peppers, Lipstick, and Purple Beauty. For hot peppers, she grows poblano and jalapeño.
Starlit Roots Farm is in Burke County, and you can purchase their in-season peppers at farmers markets and online markets, specifically Augusta Locally Grown. They also offer delivery up to 250 miles away for a fee of $0.30 per mile.
To learn more about buying peppers from Starlit Roots Farm, you can reach out to Tianna at starlitroots@gmail.com and follow them on Facebook by searching Starlit Roots.
PINEWOOD SPRINGS FARM (Stockbridge, Georgia)
Jeffery Anthony, a farmer at Pinewood Springs Farm in Stockbridge, GA, grows many different peppers including: Aji limo, Aji Amarillo, Capperino, Jimmy Nardello, shishito peppers, banana peppers, Hungarian, Numex, jalapeño, habanero, fish, and brightly colored bell peppers.
Pinewood Springs Farm is located in the Metro Atlanta area. You can purchase their peppers at farmers markets, online markets, and through a CSA program.
Also, Pinewood Springs Farm will sell to wholesalers, distributors, and restaurants. If you want to find them at a local farmers market, check out Piedmont Park's Green Market, Marietta Square Farmers Market, and Peachtree Road Farmers Markets. There are two other ways to enjoy the tasty peppers from Pinewood Springs Farm without leaving your home! If you live in the Atlanta area, they will currently deliver at no cost. Also, if you’re looking for a full meal kit for home-cooked meals, Garnish & Gather, a local and sustainable meal kit delivery company in Georgia, serves these pepper varieties on their menu!
To learn more and inquire about purchasing peppers from Pinewood Springs Farm, reach out to farmer Jeffery at jeffrey.c.anthony@gmail.com.
DOUBLE B FARM (Oxford, Georgia)
Brady Bala, farmer at Double B Farm in Oxford, GA, is growing 8 – 10 varieties of peppers this season! These peppers include multi-colored bell peppers, snacking peppers, and hot chilies.
Double B Farm is located in the Newton area, and you can purchase their peppers at farmers markets and through a CSA program. Check out the Brookhaven Farmers Market to find Double B Farm’s booth, and if you cannot make it out to the market, they deliver within a 50-mile radius as a part of their CSA program.
Reach out to farmer Brady at doublebeefarm@gmail.com for more info on pickin’ up peppers from Double B Farm!
W.C. BRADLEY FARM (Omaha, Georgia)
Ashley Turner at W.C. Bradley Farms in Omaha, GA, grows sweet red bell peppers, colorful sweet peppers, and jalapeños.
W.C. Bradley Farms is located in Stewart County, and you can purchase their peppers at The Food Mill Market in Columbus, GA. This market serves as a farmstand and in-store farmers market.
To buy W.C. Bradley Farms’ delicious peppers online, reach out to Ashley at asturner@wcbradley.com. They deliver in Stewart County and Muscogee County, Georgia, with a $10 delivery fee and free delivery for $40+ orders.
BROWN’S PLACE FARM (Grovetown, Georgia)
Wiley Brown, farmer at Brown’s Place Farm in Grovetown, GA, grows some unique varieties of peppers, including giant macaroni peppers, bell peppers, goddess peppers (similar to banana peppers), and jalapeno peppers.
Brown’s Place Farm is located in Columbia County. Along with Starlit Farms, you can also find this farm’s produce at the Augusta Locally Grown Farmers Market. They deliver within a 30-mile radius of Grovetown, GA.
You can reach out to farmer Wiley at brownsplacefarm@gmail.com to learn more about purchasing their peppers this season, and you can follow them on Facebook by searching Brown’s Place Farm.
PHOENIX GARDENS (Lawrenceville, Georgia)
Gwendolyn Washington, farmer at Phoenix Gardens in Lawrenceville, GA, grows shishito, jalapeno, Aji Dulce, lunch box, cupid, West Indian habanero, and pimento peppers.
Phoenix Gardens is in Gwinnett County, making this farm a great purchasing option for people living in Atlanta. Phoenix Gardens sells their peppers on a farmstand, online market, and at farmers markets. They will deliver 30 miles at a price of $0.75 per mile.
For fresh pepper orders from Phoenix Gardens, reach out to farmer Gwen at Gwenny@phoenixgardens.net.
DECIMAL PLACE FARM (Conley, Georgia)
Mary Hart Rigdon, farmer at Decimal Place Farm in Conley, GA, is known for growing Jimmy Nardello and sweet banana peppers.
Decimal Place Farm in Clayton County is also close to Atlanta! Farmers Markets are the best place to purchase Decimal Place Farm’s peppers, but if you are looking to enjoy them in a restaurant, dishes at The Deer and The Dove feature Decimal Place Farm’s produce!
If you live in the Atlanta and Decatur area, check out the Decimal Place Farm website to inquire about delivery.
JODY’S FARMS (Rutledge, Georgia)
Jody Kaufman, farmer at Jody’s Farms in Rutledge, GA, grows unique peppers that you can’t find just anywhere! These include bell peppers, serrano, pepperoncini, banana peppers, Thai chili, tabasco, jalapeño, Hungarian, Capperino (cherry peppers), and poblano peppers.
Jody’s Farms is located in Morgan County near Athens, GA. Jody sells her peppers at farmers markets and through WIC and senior programs. Delivery is available within a 50-mile radius of the farm.
Reach out to farmer Jody at Jody@jodysfarms.org and check out their lovely website to see farm photos and get more info from Jody’s Farms on ordering a produce box with peppers!
COSMOS FARM (Carrollton, Georgia)
John Davis, farmer at Cosmos Farm in Carrollton, GA, grows different varieties of bell peppers, banana peppers, poblano peppers, cubanelle peppers, shishito peppers, and hot peppers, specifically jalapeno, cayenne, and habanero.
Cosmos Farm is located in Caroll County, and their peppers are sold at farmers markets in Atlanta. Visit Grant Park Farmers Market or East Atlanta Village Farmers Market to purchase these peppers and pick out your favorite flavors from Cosmos Farm!
Farmer John’s contact is davisjap@gmail.com for additional questions about peppers at market.
EDEN SPRINGS FARM (Rutledge, Georgia)
Joe Bouler, farmer at Eden Springs Farm in Rutledge, GA, grows jalapeno peppers, bell peppers, and banana peppers.
Eden Springs Farm is located in Morgan County near Athens, GA. You can find their peppers at farmers markets and restaurants. Farmview Market, a local food grocery store in Madison also carries their peppers. Also, Ricardo’s Kouzzina, a seafood restaurant in Madison, serves Eden Springs Farm peppers on their menu. Eden Springs will deliver if you live within a 20-mile radius of the farm.
To purchase directly from Eden Springs Farm, you can email farmer Joe at Joseph.bouler@gmail.com.
NARROW WAY FARM (McDonough, Georgia)
Russell Brydson, farmer at Narrow Way Farm in McDonough, GA, grows jalapenos, bell, snacking, Aji Dulce, Scotch Bonnet, shishito, and cayenne peppers.
Narrow Way Farm is located in the Metro Atlanta area, and they have various ways for you to get a taste of their peppers! For purchasing, you can find them at farmers markets such as the Grant Park Farmers Market, Virginia Highland Farmers Market, and Marta Market. Narrow Way Farm also sells peppers directly through CSA programs, wholesalers and distributors, and on a farmstand. Fresh Harvest and Garnish & Gather are online platforms where you can purchase their peppers. If you're looking to dine out in Atlanta and enjoy chef-inspired dishes with Narrow Way Farm's peppers, you can find them at Miller Union and Gunshow.
Connect with farmer Russell at contact@narrowwayfarm.com and follow Narrow Way Farm on Facebook by searching Narrow Way Farm.
BERRY FARMS (Ludowici, Georgia)
Cedric Berry, farmer at Berry Farms in Ludowici, GA, specializes in growing bell peppers.
Berry Farms is located near the coast of Georgia, and their peppers are sold at farmers markets, on a farmstand, and on an online market. Check out Forsyth Farmers Market in Savannah, GA, and Berry Farms' website to buy these fresh peppers; you can have them delivered anywhere in Georgia!
For questions about delivery and more from Berry Farms, you can reach out to farmer Ced at Cedric@berryfamilyfarms.com.
FARM FIELD TRIPS
Another exciting way to learn about locally grown peppers is by visiting farms in person to see the harvesting process! These farms have either expressed interest in offering or currently offer field trips and farm tours:
No matter where you live in Georgia, we hope you are able to go out and find some locally grown peppers in celebration of Pepper Palooza, maybe even some you’ve never tried before! Purchasing from farmers within your community is nutritionally healthy and also supports organic farmers, which benefits our local environment and our economy.
To learn more about Georgia Organics, visit georgiaorganics.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn by searching the handle @GeorgiaOrganics or Georgia Organics.