ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Each and every month, Atlanta News First donates to an organization doing good in our community.
The amount of money we donate depends on the accuracy of our First Alert Weather Team. This month, we are highlighting the work of Community Farmers Markets, which has cultivated access to fresh foods across Atlanta.
On a sunny summer weekend, the Grant Park Farmers Market is buzzing with business and packed with people.
Jonathan Tescher regularly stops by the market with his daughter Nava.
“Now that I have a family, it’s our place where we go every week to see our friends,” he said. “We get our produce, meats, eggs and bread.”
Community Farmers Markets operates several markets throughout metro Atlanta, including weekly markets in Grant Park, Decatur, East Atlanta Village and Oakhurst.
Each aims to support local farmers while also improving food accessibility.
“This is amazing, fresh, local food that benefits our family but also supports all these small businesses and local farmers,” Tescher said.
One key initiative supported by the nonprofit is its partnership with Wholesome Wave Georgia, enabling customers with SNAP benefits to double their spending power.
Casey Hood is the co-executive director of Community Farmers Markets, who explained the impact of this program.
“If you have an EBT card and you’re coming out to our markets, if you swipe $10 off your EBT card, that money is doubled for fruits and vegetables,” she said.
Community Farmers Markets facilitates more than $50,000 in EBT matches annually, allowing low-income families greater access to healthy food.
Among the dozens of vendors benefiting from this network of local farmers is Tamita Brown, co-owner of Caribe United Farms. Her booth offers a wide variety of meats which include chicken, turkey, eggs and pork.
“You can get everything here,” she said. “From meat to veggies to baked goods to face products to cleaning products. Everything is here.”
She is one of 43 local farmers partnered with Community Farmers Markets.
“It’s like a family here at Grant Park Farmers Market,” Brown said. “Yes, you get all the fresh products. But it is the relationships you build with your customers that keeps them coming back.”
Last year, Community Farmers Markets made more than $3 million in sales.
For Hood, it’s about more than just fresh food – it’s about building community.
“We’re creating a community space and making sure all of our neighbors in Atlanta have great, healthy and accessible food within their neighborhoods,” she said.
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