Cities in the the five-county metro Atlanta, Georgia region, the Atlanta Regional Commission, and the Food Well Alliance are partnering on a pilot project that brings together local governments and communities across the region to create a city-wide plan that incorporates agriculture into the next phase of their development. This year, the Alliance will select one pilot city to develop a City Urban Agriculture Plan. Seven cities have submitted their interest in becoming the pilot city and, as part of their selection process, Food Well Alliance will host a Community Food Forum in each of these cities. At the forums, residents will hear from urban farmers and food experts about the value of community gardens and farms.
“Metro Atlanta is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. As our city transforms, it is critical that urban farms and gardens are integrated into this new development. Just like parks, community food-producing spaces are key to Atlanta’s resilience. They connect city dwellers to where their food comes from, activate consciousness around food choices and improve the ecological, economic, social, and nutritional health of communities.”
Food Well Alliance – formed in partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank – seeks to identify, invest in, and promote innovative ways to strengthen the local food economy; strengthen local urban growers and markets to increase production of sustainably grown, local food; increase production of and access to local compost; and, connect people, ideas, and capital to strengthen the local food system. It receives its financial support from the James M. Cox Foundation.