Whether you want to start a business, a farm, or legislation to improve Atlanta’s local food system, Food Well Alliance has built partnerships with organizations that welcome you to get involved in growing a resilient local food system in Metro Atlanta.

The Outspoken Community Leaders

Do you know what your community needs to make fresh, affordable food more widely available? Become a ‘champion’ for Food Oasis. Food Oasis gives communities the tools and resources to “cook up their own food future.” The organization is a collaboration of neighbors, nonprofits, and community leaders of several of Atlanta’s Neighborhoods to develop innovative and affordable ways for residents to discover, taste and learn about food. Food Oasis hosts “Potluck & Pitch” events, where entrepreneurs with bright ideas pitch ideas for improving food access for a chance to win a micro grant. To attend one of their bi-monthly meetings, get involved in a produce market, or learn more, visit gfo.georgiaorganics.org.

The Social-Driven Entrepreneurs

Thinking of building a social enterprise around local food processing, distribution, consumption or recovery? Become a Center for Civic Innovation member to gain access to programming, classes, and workshops to help you build skills to address city-wide challenges. CCI has a knack for taking social enterprises from ideation to implementation, especially ventures looking to address challenges in Atlanta including food equity, education, and social justice. They recently finished their Food Access Lab Accelerator, a public challenge to find innovative ideas for increasing fresh food access in Metro Atlanta communities. Ten local food entrepreneurs were provided a platform to improve their idea and pitch a business model to a room of investors.

The Local Food Advocates

Interested in seeing metro-wide changes to support the local food system? Atlanta Local Food Initiative (ALFI) hosts coalition meetings on the third Monday of every other month from 11am to 1pm. This is an opportunity to meet and support a diverse coalition of stakeholders working to build a more sustainable food system for all Atlantans. Recent ALFI coalition successes include the passage of City of Atlanta Farmers Market Ordinance, Urban Agriculture Zoning Ordinance, and Urban Garden SAP Fee Paper; as well as adoption of DeKalb County's Urban Agriculture Zoning article. For more details, please contact info@atlantalocalfood.org.

The Farmers Market Patrons

Looking to do more than hangout at your local farmers market? Georgia Farmers Market Association (GFMA) membership offers market managers, producers, and consumers the opportunity to work together to strengthen markets across the our state. As a member, you have access to GFMA programs and resources and to a network of other like-minded individuals working to improve their local food system. GFMA provides training and technical support for market management, practical tools for farmers/vendors and improved fresh food access for everyone. If you are interested in membership or receiving market training contact sagdrina@mygeorgiamarket.org for more information.

The Groundbreaking Growers

Do you lead a farm or garden in Metro Atlanta? Check out the Atlanta Regional Commission’s interactive map of farms and gardens, and make sure you are listed. This map helps city leaders to comprehend the mighty growing force behind the local food movement. If you are interested in urban agriculture training, apply for HABESHA Works or Truly Living Well's Urban Grower Program. Both trainings groom urban growers with business acumen, community interest, and green thumbs.

Whether you want to start a business, a farm or legislation to improve Atlanta’s local food system, Food Well Alliance has built partnerships with organizations that welcome you to get involved in growing to build a resilient local food system in Metro Atlanta.

The Garden Go-getters

Do you just want to get your hands dirty? Atlanta Community Food Bank’s Community Gardens has some work for you! Help clear land, prepare soil, plant, weed and harvest with the ACFB community gardens coordinator. Visit ACFB’s website to sign-up for an upcoming opportunity to volunteer.

Another opportunity to volunteer in environmental stewardship and building community vitality is with the Wright Environmental Education Center in Marietta. They host work days every Thursday from 9am until 11am except for Thanksgiving and the month of December. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Judy Beard at judybeard1@gmail.com.

If you are a member of a community garden or starting a community garden, ACFB’s Community Gardens can offer assistance with finding a site, organizing members, gathering resources and providing volunteers, receiving technical assistance and welcome volunteers from ACFB’s Community Garden. For details, contact Community Gardens at gardens@acfb.org or 404.892.FEED (3333) x1216.