We'll Always Pull Over For These Legendary Southern Farm Stands

There’s no denying our urge to pull over for a hand-painted sign advertising fresh, local produce on a winding country road anytime of year, but there's something extra magical about a roadside stand in the summertime. A Southern summer just makes pulling off the highway or detouring for a roadside farm stand feel like more than just a pit stop, but an adventure. Maybe it’s the promise of a paper sack filled with sun-warmed peaches or the sight of vine-ripened tomatoes, plump watermelons, and silver queen corn piled high.

Across the South, farm stands and small markets—many open year-round—shine brightest from spring through fall, but there's no season quite like summer to experience their full glory. These beloved spots, often family-run and rooted in tradition, and brimming with the flavors that define the region from heirloom varieties to locally made goods like homemade preserves and fresh-baked breads. From the backroads of Georgia to the lowcountry of South Carolina, these legendary Southern markets are the kind of places we’ll always pull over—or detour—for, and you’ll be glad you did too.

Mark’s Melon Patch

Dawson, Georgia

Southern Living editors are head-over-heels for this place. “It started as a small stand in 1981, but has become such a beloved place for all of South Georgia. Families come in the fall for its huge pumpkin patch festivities and year-round for its u-pick flowers, fruits, and—my personal favorite—their boiled peanuts!” says digital editor Kaitlyn Yarborough Sadik.

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8580 Albany Hwy, Dawson, GA

Related: This Beloved Georgia Roadside Stand Is Worth The Pit Stop

Rosebank Farms Market

Johns Island, South Carolina

“Their beautiful stand in Kiawah River may be new, but they've been slinging the same beautiful produce and flowers since 1988. Plus, their coolers are filled with prepared foods, from cheese slaw to casseroles, that are just right for toting to the beach or stocking the fridge,” says senior home & features editor Betsy Cribb Watson.

5018 Kiawah River Dr, Johns Island, SC

Robbie Caponetto

Robert Is Here

Homestead, Florida

This legendary Florida fruit stand which was started by 6-year-old Robert Moehling in 1959 on the same roadside corner it now sits, has since become an iconic destination that blends Old Florida charm with exotic tropical flavors. Young Moehling famously began by selling his father’s cucumbers under a sign reading “Robert Is Here”. The stand has grown into a beloved cultural landmark known for the freshest fruit where locals and international tourists alike make special pilgrimages and hours-long detours just to stop here.

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Today, at a rural intersection on a two-lane road it’s a bustling barn filled with rare fruits like guanabana, jackfruit, and mamey sapote. Irresistible milkshakes in flavors like Key lime and tamarind are also served and visitors can sit out back where Moehling’s petting zoo is complete with goats, emus, and parrots that say hello in multiple languages. With deep community roots and a warm welcome that feels like home, Robert Is Here is the ultimate legendary farmstand with a nostalgic feel and true Southern hospitality—they even sell marmalades and preserves made from his mom's recipes.

19200 SW 344th St, Homestead, FL

Andy’s Garden Grocer

Birmingham, Alabama

The Farmers Market at Pepper Place might draw the crowd on a Saturday morning, but the true locals know this spot in Vestavia Hills is the place to go any day of the week. Andy’s has been a community favorite for high-quality produce and warm Southern hospitality since opening in 1997. Over the years, owner Andy Burris has grown it from a modest produce stand into a local institution, offering hand-selected fruits and vegetables including seasonal favorites like Chilton County peaches, heirloom tomatoes, and fresh okra corn, plus casseroles, cakes, infused olive oils, and more.

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2489 Rocky Ridge Road, Birmingham, AL

Cashiers Farmers Market

Cashier’s Farmers Market

Cashiers, North Carolina

Tom and Robin Crawford, who opened Cashiers Farmers Market in the heart of town in 1995, moved to the area for the very reason of opening a simple produce stand. It started in a tent behind the gas station and has since evolved into a permanent community hub for residents and visitors alike with an adjacent BBQ takeout restaurant fittingly called “On the Side".

Run by the whole family, the still-humble spot offers an impressive array of seasonal produce, homemade pies, jams, cheeses, and specialty items; plus fresh flowers and local-made goods. Visitors are often greeted by the market's friendly golden retrievers, adding to its warm and inviting atmosphere. “Growing up, anytime we would go visit my grandparents in the summer, I always remember them taking me on almost daily trips to the market. I still try to go anytime I’m in the area,” says associate editor Cameron Beall. “The BBQ spot attached is also killer.”

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78 US-64, Cashiers, NC

Josh's Market

Mooresville, North Carolina

“From fresh North Carolina seafood to locally grown fruits and veggies, if it's in season, you can find it at Josh's Market. Shoppers come from all over the Charlotte area to shop at this Lake Norman institution that started more than 30 years ago,” says social media director Brennan Long of the establishment that opened in 1990. “As Virginia natives, my parents love that they can even find their beloved Homestead Creamery milk and ice cream.”

558 River Hwy Mooresville, NC

Horn Of Plenty Marketplace

Maryville, Tennessee

This cherished local gem that has been serving the community since 1991. Owned and operated by Dwayne Smith (who you’ll often see manning the store), this family-run market is renowned for its commitment to supporting local farmers and artisans with their freshly sourced produce, dairy, meats, and nursery plants. The marketplace also offers a variety of fan-favorite goods, including baked breads, homemade jams, and other handcrafted items. It’s a local chef favorite, too.

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“I’m a little biased because it’s in my hometown area, but a visit to Horn of Plenty always brings me joy and reminds me of taking weekly trips there with my dad as a kid,” says Cameron Beall. “We always left with far too much because everything always looked so good.” If you’re passing through town on your way to the Smoky Mountains or a football game in Knoxville, be sure to make a pit stop here as it’s open year-round.

924 W Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN

Allegri Farmer Market

Daphne, Alabama

Whether you’re headed to Fairhope or a bit further to the Gulf Coast, Allegri Farm Market is a worthy pit stop just off highway 181. It’s the perfect place to fill your beach cooler. The spot, which just celebrated 23 years, is still run by owner Vince Allegri and has a little bit of everything from fresh produce grown on their own farm to Alabama-made jams and take-and-bake casseroles. “They have it all—they’ll never be out of what you need. Plus, there’s a local seafood shop next door,” says photo editor and Point Clear-native Turner Spottswood, who especially recommends the seven-layer caramel cake and peeking at candy selection at check out.

9948 County Road 64, Daphne, AL

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