Metro Atlanta Urban Farm pitches city partnership to expand household food gardening

Bobby Wilson, director of Metro Atlanta Urban Farm, told the East Point City Council on Oct. 6 that the group is working with churches and nonprofits to help households grow their own vegetables and asked the city to partner on local food-security efforts.

Wilson said his group has already piloted “bucket gardens” and classes that produce edible yields in 21 days. “We are now eating collard greens from the field that we started,” he said. “Our goal is 100 families to start and then scale across municipalities.”

After public comment Wilson returned for a presentation at council request. Council members discussed connecting Metro Atlanta Urban Farm to the city—s Local Food Ecosystem Commission and existing programs such as Market 166 and a previously adopted city agriculture plan. Councilmember Atkins proposed working with Tri-Cities High School culinary programs and the Bowden Center; councilmembers asked the city manager to convene the local commission, Market 166 and other partners and to return with recommendations.

Councilmember Atkins asked staff to map assets and report back on current efforts; Mayor Holliday Ingram proposed placing an update on the Nov. 10 work session agenda so the council could review progress and possible city support within 30 days. Staff said Impact Church and other partners are already distributing seeds and that city staff would coordinate a convening of the Local Food Ecosystem Commission and Market 166 to discuss next steps.

Ending — Council agreed to add Wilson's presentation to a future meeting and to examine opportunities to support neighborhood gardening through the city—s existing food and wellness infrastructure. The Nov. 10 work session was set as the target date for an update and staff-convened meeting of partners.