Atlanta’s urban farms can now operate farm stands

ATLANTA — Urban farms in Atlanta will now be able to sell fresh, affordable food directly to consumers in residential zoned areas of the city.

Prior to this development, the city’s code prevented many of the city’s urban farms from operating farm stands that sell produce grown on-site directly to consumers.

“Access to healthy food options should be a right for all Atlanta residents,” said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. “Thank you to the Office of Resilience, Department of Planning and others for their efforts to ensure that our vision for One Atlanta includes food security for all communities–regardless of zip code.”

The Fresh Food Access report released in June 2021 identified that 75 percent of city residents lived within half a mile of fresh food in 2020. With the new ordinance, many of the Atlanta’s 28 urban farms will now be able serve as fresh food access points in their neighborhoods. Most urban farms in Atlanta are in USDA-designated Low-Income, Low-Access neighborhoods.

In addition to expanding fresh food access for residents, the potential benefits of the Farm Stand Ordinance include:

• Creating economic mobility opportunities for Atlanta’s farmers, 92 percent of which are operated by women or residents of color;
• Anchoring local neighborhoods by cultivating food security, neighborhood resilience, safety, and economic benefits; and
• Supporting increased food awareness, education, nutrition and environmental health.

“Urban farms are a key component to establishing a healthier and more resilient city,” said J. Olu Baiyewu, the city’s Urban Agriculture Director. “The Farm Stand Ordinance will foster a more equitable distribution of fresh food access for residents and visitors across Atlanta and expand economic opportunities for our urban farmers.”  

To learn more about the City of Atlanta’s Urban Agriculture initiatives, including urban farms, visit https://www.aglanta.org/.

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