Growing Together: Planning for the Future of Local Food

We believe City Agriculture Planning can be a game changer for metro Atlanta’s growers, and we intend to bring it to all 54 cities in our service area. We'll need everyone's help to make it happen. As part of the GIVE Atlanta Challenge, we're asking our supporters to help us raise $54,000 to reach 54 cities. When people have access to locally grown food, neighborhoods become safer, ecologies improve, and people are healthier. Metro Atlanta growers are working harder than ever to make that a reality for all of us. Help our local growers and help transform the landscape of our cities. Every donation counts. Give what you can today!

As we move through the last quarter of the year into a new holiday season, I can’t help but feel immense gratitude. As the Executive Director at Food Well Alliance, I get to work alongside an incredible team of staff who approach their jobs with passion and ingenuity. But Food Well Alliance extends far beyond our team; this alliance is ever-evolving into a powerful network of growers, community and city leaders who are collectively strengthening metro Atlanta’s local food system. I believe our efforts will not only leave a lasting mark here, but pave the way for other cities.  

When I reflect on what we’ve accomplished together in 2019, I’m in awe. Some of my favorite highlights? 

• Witnessing the overwhelming response from seven cities when our Policy & Planning team was seeking a city to pilot metro Atlanta’s first City Agriculture Plan with Atlanta Regional Commission.

• Having so many growers attend BCS tractor trainings hosted by our Resource Center team to borrow tractors through our partnership with the Atlanta Community ToolBank

• Seeing smiles on more than 1500 people’s faces as they explored the farm at Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture during this year’s Soil Festival organized by our Events & Experiences team

Next year, Food Well Alliance will celebrate five years. As we approach this milestone and anticipate the important work ahead, we’ll be reaching out for increased support from our growing coalition. It will be critical to raise awareness and new sources of funding to ensure that community gardens and urban farms are not just a trend but rather a permanent part of metro Atlanta’s future. One way you can help now through November 15 is to make a donation to Food Well Alliance through our GIVE Atlanta campaign. Whether you contribute $10, $100, $1,000 - or more - you’ll be part of the imprint we’ll leave on metro Atlanta cities. Can I count on you to give?

My very best,

Kim Karris
Executive Director
Food Well Alliance