If you like buying healthy, organic and locally produced products from local farmers, now is the time to take action! The City of Atlanta is reviewing current regulations with regard to fire, health and zoning that apply to farmers markets, regulations that could devastate local markets which operate with tight, non-profit seeking budgets. The city has already required some markets to hire a police officer to work at the markets, costing our local farmers $6000 per market, annually. (Now that's a lot of kale!) The city government is considering classifying our markets under the same laws that apply to concerts and other for-profit events, rendering the markets too costly to continue running.
Farmers' market managers are currently urging the city to create fair policies written specifically for these markets and you can help prove how important they are to our communities by writing the mayor's office and your city council members.
Feel free to copy this letter or create your own and send it to the mayor's office at mkreed@atlantaga.gov.
"Dear Mayor Reed and City Government Leaders,
I am writing you as a constituent, to ask for your support in ensuring that local farmers markets are able to operate sustainably in our city. I appreciate the support your office has provided as your administration seeks to create a space for farmers markets in the city policies. I ask that the city not place undue burden, financial or otherwise, on our farmers markets as the policies are being drafted to govern their activities.
Sincerely,
Farmers Market Supporter"
City council members, in particular, need to hear what an asset these neighborhood farmers' markets are to our communities. Click here to access a listing of Atlanta council members with email links.
Finally, show your support of the farmers who make the effort to bring their organic, home-grown, healthy food straight to our neighborhoods by shopping the markets every week! And just remember, parents, it's a great place to start teaching your kids about healthy food choices in a fun environment.
Local markets with varying hours include Peachtree Road (Buckhead, Saturday), Morningside (Saturday), East Atlanta (Thursday evenings), Piedmont Park (Saturday), East Lake (Saturday), SWOOM (Saturday) and Dunwoody (Wednesday).
Andrea Hospodar is also the Atlanta Italian Restaurant Examiner.
Comments
I wrote the mayor this morning. It would be a shame to see these fun markets disappear. They really add to the quality of our urban living.
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