Community Farmers Markets

To increase the availability of local food access through local food distribution outlets in low-income and mixed-income communities that lack access to fresh, healthy, and local foods. We operate six weekly outdoor farmers markets and seven weekly MARTA Markets. The MARTA Markets are the nation's first transit oriented food access solution, serving fresh food inside transit stations, with over 35% of the customers on SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Program). These distribution outlets serve approximately 237,000 shoppers from mixed-income families and provide outlets for 55 low-income farmers annually.

To provide educational programming to residents and low-income community-based organizations in the neighborhoods we serve and professional development to vendors. The majority of small farms in Georgia make less than $20,000 a year and live below the poverty line. Our vendor support program provides professional development and support to help farmers get closer to making a fair living wage. In our communities, we work with low-income community partners to educate participants about eating local, fresh food affordably and on a SNAP budget. We increase and promote financial incentives for low-income consumers through doubling SNAP dollars for eligible participants and other financial incentive programs. Since 2011, we have provided nearly $800,000 in double SNAP benefits to low-income families, doubling their purchasing power at the markets and making fresh fruits and vegetables more financially accessible. Over 35% of the Fresh Marta Market customers participate in the double SNAP program.