The Atlanta Local Food Baseline Report is the first of its kind to aggregate existing data and document how local, sustainably grown food impacts metro Atlanta in four key areas.
In metro Atlanta there is a vibrant movement of community gardeners, urban farmers, educators, policymakers, funders and social entrepreneurs working together to ensure that food is grown sustainably and distributed equitably within the five most populated counties in Metro Atlanta: Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb and Clayton.
From our urban growers increasing access to nutritious, locally grown food to compost experts turning wasted food into healthy soil for our city’s farms and gardens - these leaders are building a more resilient Metro Atlanta.
Atlanta's Local Food Movement: A History
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Local, Sustainably Grown Food Impacts All of Us
Community Vitality
Building a Strong Community Identity & Spirit
Food that is grown locally, within urban neighborhoods and schools, brings people together to build vibrant, healthier, and more connected communities. Inclusive community gardens, urban farms, and farmers’ markets are making it easier for all people, regardless of income or where you live in Atlanta to grow, access, and eat healthy, locally-grown food.
Environmental Stewardship
Creating a More Environmentally Sustainable Food System
Atlanta is home to a diverse movement of leaders from urban growers to environmental educators to composters, who are demonstrating that a strong local food system is one that preserves natural resources, promotes ecological balance, and protects our urban landscape. Creating a more environmentally sustainable urban food system is critical to making our food safe and our city a more climate-resilient, healthier place to live.
Health and Nutrition
Increasing Consumption of Sustainably Grown, Local Food
Local, sustainably-grown food is some of the most nutritious fruits and vegetables available in our city. Hospitals and health-care providers have an opportunity to collaborate with urban growers to prevent disease and improve health in patients without access to fresh food. Educational opportunities at farmers markets, community gardens and farm-to-school programs are already raising awareness of how to grow, cook and eat nutritious meals.
Economic Development
Generating a Robust Local Food Economy
At the heart of a resilient local food system are communities in Atlanta that are centered around productive and viable farms. From full-service restaurants that source from local farms to social entrepreneurs creating jobs to reach low-access neighborhoods through community-supported agriculture - Atlanta growers and eaters are critical to our local food economy.
Interested in learning more about the benefits of the local food movement?
