From Farm to Family Table: How Community Farmers Markets Is Growing Climate Solutions in Georgia

Chapters

00:00 Meet Casey Hood and Raevin Hawkins 

00:28 Introducing Community Farmers Markets 

04:12 A Drawdown Georgia Grant to Turn Surplus Produce into Meals 

08:38 Centering Equity at Community Farmers Markets 

10:43 Making Healthy Meals Accessible Through Chef Demos 

16:30 Challenges Facing Farmers and the Organization 

20:08 How the Community Has Responded 

21:47 What’s Giving Casey and Raevin Hope

In Georgia, fresh local food is more than sustenance; it’s an opportunity to advance climate action and equity. Just ask Community Farmers Markets (CFM), an Atlanta-based nonprofit scaling several of the 20 Drawdown Georgia climate solutions in the neighborhoods that need it most.

In this edition of the Georgia Climate Digest interview series, host Eriqah Vincent sits down with Casey Hood, Director of Operations & Vendor Support, and Raevin Hawkins, Food Systems Innovation Manager, to talk about how Community Farmers Markets is reducing emissions, fighting food insecurity, and building community.

How Is Community Farmers Markets Turning Surplus Produce into Meals?

With support from a Drawdown Georgia Climate Solutions & Equity Grant, CFM launched a project to transform surplus produce from local farms into plant-based, ready-to-eat meals, tackling food waste and promoting plant-based diets at the same time. The pilot began with chef-led taste tests at MARTA markets last winter, narrowing 20 recipes down to 10 favorites, including a Sweet Potato Chili distributed to families at a Title I elementary school.

Why Did CFM Shift Its Strategy to Atlanta Public Schools?

CFM recently shifted its meal distribution to free produce markets at Title I Atlanta Public Schools, where the team reaches three to four times more families than they did at MARTA stations. Casey and Raevin explain how they time markets around moments like spring break, when students might not have a guaranteed school meal, and how partnering with Concrete Jungle to source gleaned produce adds another layer of food waste reduction.

How Does CFM Center Equity at Every Market?

Equity isn’t a buzzword for CFM, it’s built into the model. The organization doubles SNAP and EBT benefits through Wholesome Wave Georgia, deliberately places markets in neighborhoods without easy grocery access, and offers discounted application fees for BIPOC vendors and waived weekly fees for farmers. Nearly half of CFM’s vendors are BIPOC-owned, and more than half are women.

What Challenges Do CFM and Its Farmers Face?

Casey and Raevin are candid about the obstacles ahead: extreme weather damaging crops and infrastructure, farmers aging out of the profession while younger growers struggle with land access, and ongoing funding uncertainty for nonprofits doing this work. Partnerships, like one with Eco Paradigm to help a local farm build storm-resistant hoop houses, are helping CFM meet these challenges head-on.

Whether you’re a shopper, a farmer, or simply curious about what climate solutions look like at the neighborhood level, this conversation is a reminder that sometimes the biggest impact starts with a pop-up farm stand and a bowl of veggie chili.

What You’ll Learn

• How CFM is turning surplus produce into free, plant-based meals for Georgia families.
• Why the organization shifted its meal distribution strategy to Title I Atlanta Public Schools.
• How CFM doubles SNAP and EBT benefits and supports BIPOC and women-owned vendors.
• How partnerships with Concrete Jungle, Better Earth, and Open Hand Atlanta strengthen CFM’s impact.
• The biggest challenges facing Georgia’s local farmers, from extreme weather to land access.
• What gives Casey Hood and Raevin Hawkins hope about climate progress in Georgia.

Continue reading in our companion blog to learn more about how CFM is growing several of the 20 Drawdown Georgia climate solutions while building equity and resilience in the neighborhoods that need it most.

Download the Interview Transcript

Prefer to read the conversation instead? Download the complete PDF transcript of this interview with Casey Hood and Raevin Hawkins to explore their insights on food waste reduction, equity, and community building at Community Farmers Markets.