Atlanta Housing Authority Presents Return To Community Farmers Markets

ATLANTA, June 16, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Choice Atlanta, an Atlanta Housing Authority and City of Atlanta initiative designed to transform three southwest Atlanta neighborhoods, is proud to host the Return to Community Farmers Markets on the third Saturday of the month, beginning June and running through October, at 137 Elm Street SW between Atlanta Student Movement Boulevard and Parsons Street SW from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This first-ever Choice Atlanta seasonal farmers market starts this Saturday, June 17, and aligns with Vision 2022, AHA's 5-year strategic plan, that renews and puts into action the agency's focus on being the frontrunner of workforce housing and affordability in the city of Atlanta. 

The Return to Community Farmers Markets will feature local growers and vendors, allowing attendees to shop for locally-grown fresh fruits, vegetables and other food items. In addition, the markets will include cooking demonstrations, fun activities for kids, live music and wellness programs hosted by community partners. Some of the participating partners and vendors include:

Growers

• Historic Westside Gardens
• TLW
• Urban Sprouts
• Metro Atlanta Urban Farm
• The 3x3 Project
• Organix Matters
• Gangstas to Growers

Vendors

• Junction City Soap
• 2 Pieces of Toast
• Cup of Coffee
• Marddy's
• Haylene Green
• King of Pops

Health and Community Partners

• Morehouse School of Medicine
• Diabetes Association of Atlanta
• HEALing Community Center
• Atlanta Community Food Bank
• Raising Expectations
• Work Source Georgia
• Families First, Inc.
• Atlanta BeltLine
• Westside Future Fund
• Communities In Schools
• Clark Atlanta University
• 91.9 WCLK-FM

"AHA is excited about hosting its inaugural farmers markets in the University Choice Neighborhood," says Catherine Buell, President and CEO of the Atlanta Housing Authority. "It is important that we ignite a return to community and in doing so, provide quality and healthy goods and services in the neighborhood to foster an environment where everyone can live, work and thrive."

According to Wholesome Wave Georgia Evaluation Report, food insecurity is at the highest levels in the U.S. since the Great Depression and Georgia has the fourth highest rate of food insecurity. "With approximately 3,000 households and limited food retail resources in the Choice Neighborhoods, a farmers market is AHA's effort to help change the 'food desert' designation in the University Choice neighborhoods," states Ernestine Garey who leads the Choice Atlanta initiative for the Atlanta Housing Authority.

The Return to Community Farmers Markets are structured to positively support and impact the immediate and surrounding communities in the University Choice Neighborhood that includes Ashview Heights, Vine City and Atlanta University Center communities. The markets will be open to the public and located in the heart of the Westside on the site of the former University Homes, now renamed Scholars Landing.

For more information about the Return to Community Farmer's Markets, visit www.CNAtlanta.org and follow us on FB @UniversityChoiceNeighborhoods and Twitter @HousingAtlanta.

About Atlanta Housing Authority
The Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta, Georgia (AHA) is the largest housing authority in Georgia and one of the largest in the nation. AHA provides and facilitates affordable housing resources for nearly 22,000 low-income households comprised of approximately 50,000 people. These affordable housing resources include AHA-owned residential communities, AHA-sponsored mixed-income, mixed-finance residential communities, tenant-based vouchers, HomeFlex (project based rental assistance), supportive housing arrangements and homeownership opportunities. AHA's programs are funded and regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD"). 

About Choice Atlanta
Choice Neighborhoods is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that focuses on transforming distressed neighborhoods into thriving communities with quality, affordable housing and amenities that meet the needs of their residents. Choice Atlanta is an Atlanta Housing Authority and City of Atlanta initiative that leverages a $30 million dollar Choice Neighborhood grant to revitalize the former University Homes and three surrounding neighborhoods in the city's Westside: Vine City, Ashview Heights and the Atlanta University Center neighborhoods, collectively known as the University Choice Neighborhood (UCN).

Visit Atlanta Housing Authority at http://www.atlantahousing.org or follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @housingatlanta.

SOURCE Atlanta Housing Authority

Related Links

http://www.atlantahousing.org