The U.S. Department Agriculture reports that in 2022 nearly one in five households faced food insecurity – an unacceptable fact that Invest Atlanta and the Mayor’s Office are committed to addressing here in Atlanta.
Invest Atlanta issued a Request for Information (RFI) to support the creation of economic development programming that increases the availability of fresh, affordable grocery options in Atlanta. The information provided by qualified developers and retail grocery operators will help increase the pipeline of businesses looking to launch or expand grocery offerings, particularly in areas described by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as “Low Income, Low Access Communities.”
“Too many residents face food insecurity in their daily lives, which is why our Administration continues to prioritize investments in programs that bring healthy, affordable food options to every Atlanta neighborhood,” says Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “All residents deserve to live close to healthy food options, a goal we are committed to accomplishing with our public and private partners.”
The City of Atlanta’s grocery and health foods strategy focuses on:
- Attracting major supermarkets and grocery stores
- Retaining, expanding and improving corner and neighborhood markets
- Supporting innovative food access models
- Driving policy, systems and environment change
“Innovation and partnerships like this request for information is designed to create are key to finding new, impactful opportunities to increase access to affordable healthy food in our communities,” says Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta.
Health professionals suggest that affordable access to healthy food is critical not just to preventing and treating diet-related health conditions, but also to building thriving communities, strong local economies and sustainable food systems.