Our partnerships are established and maintained with the ultimate goal of furthering the missions of both organizations. Time, energy, skills, talents, in-kind donations, funding, or visibility within each other’s networks can be offered to reach these goals.

One of our exciting new partnerships is with the Decatur High School Culinary Program. Two of our Decatur Market Community Group members, Kate Christman and Michael Harbin, have established a relationship with Rian MacDonald, the lead teacher in the DHS Culinary Program, and have developed many ways for our programs to work together. Currently, students have served as chef assistants at our chef booth at our Wednesday market – helping the chef shop around the market, promoting the featured vendors through market signage and social media posts, assisting with the washing and prepping of produce, the cooking of the dish, and the distribution of the samples. In addition, more advanced students have run a Pop-Up Restaurant at our Saturday markets, preparing a dish with ingredients found at market and raising money to benefit both the market and the culinary program. Other ideas for future projects include involving students in our outreach events throughout the community and engaging students in farm work days.

Through this partnership, our farmers markets are gaining invested volunteers at our Wednesday market and valuable programming at our Saturday market. In turn, Decatur High School is gaining an opportunity for students to connect with the community and a hands-on, real-life experience in their area of study.

Here’s an idea of some of our other highlighted partnerships in the neighborhoods we serve.

East Atlanta: East Atlanta Community Association, East Atlanta Business Association, East Atlanta Charter School, East Atlanta Kids Club, Burgess-Peterson, YES Yoga

Decatur: Decatur High School Culinary Program, Wylde Center, Decatur Farm to School, First Baptist Church of Decatur, Decatur Active Living, Decatur Housing Authority, Eddie’s Attic, Souper Jenny, Pure Barre, Solstice Urban Retreat Yoga

Grant Park: Grant Park Conservatory, Grant Park Neighborhood Association, Grant Park Cooperative Preschool, Cafe of Life, Fulton County Master Gardeners, Girl Scout Troop 1408, SNAP Fitness

Westside: West Midtown Business Alliance, Westside Atlanta Charter School, Running Nerds