Nickey Gregory Co. building growth momentum
Nickey Gregory Co. building growth momentum
Atlanta’s reputation as the King of the Southeast continues to hold firm, with the region experiencing one of the most dynamic periods of growth in its produce industry. A combination of robust retail and foodservice demand, a booming population and Georgia’s diverse agricultural output has positioned the metro area as a key engine for fresh-produce movement across the eastern half of the country.
At the center of it all is the Atlanta State Farmers Market in Forest Park, a 150-acre facility that remains one of the largest outdoor wholesale produce markets in the United States. According to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the market continues to draw between 3,500 to 4,000 buyers and visitors daily, serving as a year-round distribution hub for schools, restaurants, retailers, independent stores and foodservice operators stretching from the Carolinas to north Florida and west into Alabama and Tennessee.
The market is currently home to approximately 130 businesses, including wholesalers, brokers, logistics companies and repackers. Several companies note that volumes moving through Atlanta have continued to trend upward as the region’s population base grows — metro Atlanta added more than 60,000 new residents in the last year alone — and as retailers expand their Southeastern footprints.
“It continues to be an incredibly strong and competitive marketplace,” said Andrew Scott, director of marketing and business development for Nickey Gregory Co. “The Atlanta State Farmers Market gives you reach. With the interstates, airport and rail access, you can cover the entire Southeast overnight. That combination is why so many companies want a presence here.”
Atlanta’s logistics advantages remain unmatched in the region. The confluence of interstates I-75, I-85 and I-20, along with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — one of the busiest air-cargo gateways in the country — creates a natural corridor for high-velocity fresh-produce movement. Recent expansions in refrigerated truck capacity and continued investment in cold-storage infrastructure around Clayton and Henry counties have only strengthened that network.
Georgia itself remains a powerhouse in the national ag economy. Agriculture continues to contribute more than $75 billion annually to the state, and its diverse climate allows for production of nearly every major fruit and vegetable category grown in the Southeast. Georgia growers continue to lead the nation in peanuts, pecans and blueberries, while the state’s famous Vidalia sweet onions anchor the spring vegetable season.
Watermelon, peaches, Bell peppers, cucumbers, cabbage, greens, squash, tomatoes and sweet corn are also major contributors.
Many of those crops move directly through Atlanta onto routes serving the East Coast and Midwest. Several wholesalers note that demand for Georgia-grown items has increased in recent years as retailers push for stronger regional sourcing programs and as consumers show heightened interest in local produce.
“Georgia Grown continues to be a tremendous driver for us,” Scott said. “Customers know the label, and they want those items. It’s become an important part of our identity in the Southeast.”
The Georgia Grown program, run by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, has expanded its marketing reach over the last few years, adding more retail partnerships, statewide events and co-branding campaigns with processors, distributors and restaurants. Program enrollment has increased steadily, and many Atlanta wholesalers cite the brand as a major selling point during peak seasonal windows.
Atlanta’s culinary scene — and its chefs — also continue to be influential buyers. The region has seen strong restaurant growth in recent years, with new openings fueling higher demand for specialty produce, locally-grown vegetables and premium fruit. This has opened opportunities for growers and distributors supplying niche and value-added items.
The outlook for Atlanta remains highly optimistic. With population growth continuing, infrastructure investments accelerating and Georgia agriculture maintaining national prominence, industry leaders expect produce movement through Atlanta to only strengthen in the coming years.
“Atlanta has always been a produce city,” Scott said. “But right now, with everything happening here, it feels like we’re just getting started.”
