FOREST PARK, GA — Off I -75 highway in Forest Park, GA, is a unique stop: the Atlanta State Farmers Market.

Bring your walking shoes as it covers 150 acres and is considered one of the largest of its kind in the world. It features a garden center, wholesale and retail activities, and is a major marketing hub and distribution point for fresh produce in the Southeast and throughout the country.

The Atlanta Market never closes. “It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” said Paul Thompson, manager at the market.

The best time to go, however, is earlier in the day. Most of the farmers and vendors go early, between 3-5 a.m. and are usually done for the day around 11a.m, according to Thompson. By late afternoon, the market gets quiet until the next morning.

“Its volume of business makes it a success,” Thompson said about the market, which he has been managing for three years. “I enjoy working with people and there is plenty of opportunity for that at the market.”

The market is currently undergoing some renovations, including structural work and new roofs on facilities. “We are doing a lot of re-roofing which has been ongoing throughout this year,” Thompson said. “Re-roofing started several months ago and depending on weather, that will determine how long it takes to finish.”

He said the market is an interesting place to visit, but a bit of a hidden jewel. There are not only wholesale vendors, but also retail and garden vendors.

“People don’t have the knowledge that people can come out and shop themselves,” Thompson said. He explained that it is a terminal market, meaning for wholesalers but also for consumers. The garden center is open during business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Certain buildings, however, are open only to wholesale business. They have a map on their webpage, showing which are the wholesale buildings.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture is the landlord and manages the market. It is one of eight other state markets in Georgia.

Thompson said his job is to make the market as efficient as can be, and as well used for the local community as it can be. But it is an ongoing challenge, he added. “There is always room to get better. We are hoping to revitalize some of the space, make additions and maybe a new building in the future,” he said.

Despite the markets current success, Thompson said it is always happy to have more customers. “Companies are working every day to expand their customer base, that is the common goal of all of the vendors.” The current growing demand of people wanting to eat fresh fruit also makes the market more attractive.