Farmers Markets Around Helen
Weekly growers' markets, stone-ground grits and mountain apples
The short answer
Fall is a good time to eat your way around Helen. Mountain growers bring apples, honey and late-season vegetables to small weekly markets, and a century-old mill still turns out grits. The calendar changes by season, so this page lists what's running now and what's coming.
Farmers markets
Days and times, October 2026
| Market | When | Where | About |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sautee Nacoochee Farmers Market | Thursdays, 4 to 7 PM, through October 29, 2026 | Sautee Nacoochee Center, 283 Highway 255 North | Local growers selling produce, meat, honey and baked goods, plus a weekly dinner in Community Hall with live music. The 2027 season is weekly April to October; the day may change, so check the Center's calendar. 706-878-3300. |
| Growers and Makers Market | Sundays, 10 AM to 2 PM; October 2026 dates confirmed | The Garden at Nacoochee Village, 7025 S Main St, Helen | Free, family- and pet-friendly, with free parking. Later dates haven't been published. |
| Clarkesville Farmers Market | Saturday mornings, May to early October (2027 dates to be announced) | Downtown Clarkesville | Seasonal produce, baked goods, eggs, flowers and other local foods. Not running now; 2027 dates to be announced. |
| Union County Farmers Market | Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8 AM to 1 PM, through October 31, 2026 | 290 Farmers Market Way, Blairsville | A covered market off Highway 515 with produce, plants, honey, baked goods and crafts. October is the last month of the 2026 season. 706-439-6043. |
Market days change between seasons. Confirm with the Sautee Nacoochee Center, the Helen CVB events page or the Union County market before you go. Our events calendar has the full list.
Local food worth the stop
Hours as listed by each business
| Business | What they sell | Where | Hours | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nora Mill Granary | Stone-ground grits, cornmeal, pancake and waffle mixes, flours and a country store | 7107 S Main St, Helen | Mon to Fri 9 to 5; Sat and Sun 10 to 5 | 706-878-2375 |
| Fred's Famous Peanuts | Fried and boiled peanuts, brittle, honey, and North Georgia apples in season | 17 Clayton Rd, Helen | Seasonal hours; open when the sign says OPEN | 706-878-3124 |
| Mercier Orchards | Apples, apple butter, cider, pies and fried pies; U-pick in season | 8660 Blue Ridge Dr, Blue Ridge | Mon to Thu 9 to 5; Fri to Sun 9 to 6 | 706-632-3411 |
Nora Mill Granary was founded in 1876 and still grinds with 1,500-pound French burr stones powered by the Chattahoochee, according to the mill. Fred's, per its own site, opened in 1982 and keeps seasonal hours, so call ahead. Mercier Orchards is in Blue Ridge, roughly 80 minutes away, and is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and Easter.
Fall food events nearby
Hardman Farm hosts its Mountain Farm Celebration on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10 AM to 4 PM. It's an old-fashioned country fair with cider from a hand-cranked press, hayrides, craft and food vendors and live music. Admission is $8 per person, and ages 5 and under are free. See our Hardman Farm guide.
Tips
Bring cash and bags
Small stands don't always take cards, and a tote bag beats plastic.
Go for the Thursday dinner
The Sautee market serves a weekly dinner in Community Hall with live music, so you can make an evening of it.
Ask about honey
Mountain honey is a classic local souvenir. See our honey farms guide.
Pair it with the valley
The Sautee Nacoochee Center is in the valley, which also has Nora Mill and valley's other stops.
Planning a market day
Two of the markets are close enough to fold into a normal Helen day. The Sautee Nacoochee Center is about 10 minutes up the valley, and the Growers and Makers Market is right on South Main Street in Helen. The Union County market in Blairsville is roughly 50 minutes away, and Clarkesville is about 25.
| Market | Drive from Helen | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Growers and Makers Market | In Helen (7025 S Main St) | Sundays, free parking, family- and pet-friendly |
| Sautee Nacoochee Farmers Market | About 10 minutes | Thursday evenings, with a weekly dinner and live music in Community Hall |
| Clarkesville Farmers Market | About 25 minutes | Seasonal; 2027 dates to be announced |
| Union County Farmers Market | About 50 minutes | Tuesdays and Saturdays; a covered market off Highway 515 |
The season is winding down. The Sautee market's last 2026 Thursday is October 29, and the Union County market's season ends October 31, so go soon. For more of what's happening each week, check the events calendar.
Farmers market questions
Is there a farmers market in Helen, GA?
Yes. The Growers and Makers Market meets Sundays from 10 AM to 2 PM at The Garden at Nacoochee Village, 7025 S Main St. It's free, family- and pet-friendly, and has free parking. October 2026 dates are confirmed; later dates haven't been published.
What day is the Sautee Nacoochee Farmers Market?
Thursdays from 4 to 7 PM through October 29, 2026, at the Sautee Nacoochee Center, 283 Highway 255 North. The 2027 season is planned for weekly April to October, though the day may change, so check the Center's calendar.
Where can I buy stone-ground grits near Helen?
Nora Mill Granary at 7107 S Main St sells stone-ground grits, cornmeal, pancake and waffle mixes, and flours. It's open Monday to Friday 9 to 5 and Saturday and Sunday 10 to 5.
Can I pick apples near Helen?
Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge, roughly 80 minutes away, offers U-pick in season along with apples, cider and pies. Fred's Famous Peanuts in Helen sells North Georgia apples in season.
When does the Union County Farmers Market close for the season?
October 31, 2026. It runs Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8 AM to 1 PM at 290 Farmers Market Way in Blairsville.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
