What's Happening At Food Well Alliance - January 2021
/Welcome to our monthly blog, keeping you in the loop about what we’ve been working on and what’s coming next. Check back each month for updates or sign up to receive email newsletter updates here. If you have any questions about the content written here, please email info@foodwellalliance.org.
Welcome to Kate to her new role as Executive Director
We're excited to announce that Kate Conner has been named executive director of Food Well Alliance! Since March of 2020, Kate has served as the organization’s senior director of strategic development; in September she stepped up to add the role of interim executive director to her duties. Prior to Food Well Alliance, Kate served nearly nine years as director of development and marketing at Trees Atlanta and eight years in various roles at Piedmont Park Conservancy, including director of development.
"I am thrilled for this incredible opportunity to lead Food Well Alliance as we head into a new era," said Kate. Her number one priority will be to work with Westside Future Fund to complete the Phase 1 renovation of a community center and local food hub located at 970 Jefferson St., a former home of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The center will house the offices of Food Well Alliance and other local food organizations, including Urban Recipe and Community Farmers Markets. “This will be a place for Westside community members and organizations to come together and strengthen the movement while serving the Westside and beyond.” Completing and launching a new strategic plan is also at the top of her list. “The new plan will define our vision for the next five years to better serve our constituents at a time when local food is more important than ever.”
Community Garden Grants
Food Well Alliance is currently accepting applications for the 2021 Community Garden Grant! In 2021, Food Well Alliance will invest a total of $80,000 to support the vitality and sustainability of community gardens during a time when growing fresh, healthy food is more important than ever.
Since 2015, Food Well Alliance has invested $232,560 directly into 105 community gardens across Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties through its Community Garden Grant. The grant has allowed community gardens to define and address their garden needs around infrastructure, tools, and supplies to keep their gardens thriving and serving their communities.
Additionally, 90 cubic yards of organic compost have been delivered to community gardens and 10 Community Compost Systems have been built at community gardens through the Community Garden Grant.
The application deadline is February 18, 2021 at 11:59 pm. Learn more, view our informational webinar recording, and apply here.
East Point City Agriculture Planning
On Tuesday, January 19, the City of East Point held a public meeting via Zoom to discuss the Draft City Agriculture Plan for the City of East Point. Thank you to 50+ community members who either attended the meeting or email their support for the City Ag Plan.
Now hiring an Urban Ag Manager for East Point
Food Well Alliance seeks a contract Urban Agriculture Manager to implement the City Agriculture Plan in the City of East Point, Georgia. The Urban Agriculture Manager will be responsible for directing, coordinating, facilitating, and implementing all initiatives, programs, and projects that are determined to be within the scope of the USDA RFSP grant that strengthen and support a more accessible, resilient, and equitable local food system for East Point. This includes fiscal management, performing day-today operational needs, and coordination and management of the Urban Agriculture Commission and other community groups engaged in implementing City Agriculture Plan recommendations. This position will be on a 2-year contract basis with Food Well Alliance, reporting to the Policy and Advocacy Manager, but will work closely with city of East Point staff and other city leaders. Applications are due 2/15. Learn more here.
