PRFM + Meals On Wheels

Peachtree Road Farmers Market and Meals On Wheels Atlanta Collaborate:

Farm to Table for Seniors in Need

Meals On Wheels Atlanta and the Peachtree Road Farmers Market at The Cathedral of St. Philip are partnering to provide the freshest locally grown vegetables to senior clients of Meals On Wheels Atlanta. At the market on Saturday mornings, Meals On Wheels Atlanta purchases - at a discounted rate - vegetables left at the end of the market to deliver to their senior clients.

Chef Nick Leahy of Saltyard is on the Board of Trustees for Meals On Wheels Atlanta and was instrumental in developing this partnership. “It’s a win-win for everyone. Local farmers are able to reduce waste and Meals On Wheels Atlanta clients benefit from fresh local vegetables,” he said.

Peachtree Road Farmers Market at The Cathedral of St. Philip is open every Saturday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM through December 13, 2014. Peachtree Road Farmers Market is the largest producer-only market in metro Atlanta. The market has created Chef Pop Ups that will benefit the Meals On Wheels Atlanta and Peachtree Road Farmers Market partnership. The Chef Pop Ups feature local chefs preparing a delicious dish for shoppers utilizing market produce. The shoppers can choose to make a donation which will help offset the cost of the vegetables provided to Meals On Wheels Atlanta. Upcoming Chef Pop Ups benefiting the partnership will be on October 11, November 8, November 22 and November 29.

Lauren Carey, Executive Director at Peachtree Road Farmers Market, is responsible for working with the market farmers and providing Meals On Wheels Atlanta with their weekly supply of vegetables. “Our farmers are so excited about this partnership. It really is the perfect relationship. Shoppers enjoy Chef Pop Ups made with market veggies, the money goes back to supporting the farmers who are helping to feed seniors in need,” she said.

In Georgia, one in six seniors does not know when or where their next meal will come from. To combat senior hunger in the Atlanta community, Meals On Wheels Atlanta will deliver more than 130,000 meals this year to local Atlanta seniors in need.

“We are thrilled to be able to provide fresh vegetables from local farmers to our senior clients. This partnership shows how Atlanta’s nonprofits can team up to do what’s best for the seniors in our community,” said Jeff Smythe, Executive Director for Meals On Wheels Atlanta.

To make a donation to support this partnership, please visit www.mealsonwheelsatlanta.org.

About Meals On Wheels Atlanta
Founded in 1965, Meals On Wheels Atlanta is a nonprofit organization that supports senior independence through meals, shelter, education and community. Through extensive programming, Meals On Wheels Atlanta delivers more than 130,000 meals annually, repairs hundreds of senior homes, manages seven neighborhood senior centers, provides community and wellness education, and helps seniors and their families manage Alzheimer's and dementia. Meals On Wheels Atlanta serves approximately 2,400 seniors annually. For more information on how to volunteer or donate to Meals On Wheels Atlanta, please visit www.mealsonwheelsatlanta.org or follow them on Facebook and Twitter or call (404) 351-3889.

About Peachtree Road Farmers Market
The Peachtree Road Farmers Market was founded in 2007 and exists as a program of The Cathedral of St. Philip. Now in its eighth year, Peachtree Road Farmers Market is a leader in the community connecting over 70 farmers and local producers to over 2,500 weekly shoppers. PRFM is the largest producer-only farmers market in the state. Producer-only means that everything at the Market has been grown, raised, or made by the seller, ensuring fair prices for both the vendors and the consumers. The Market takes place on Saturday mornings beginning in April, rain or shine, until mid December. PRFM accepts and doubles SNAP (EBT/food stamp) benefits. For more information please visit our website at www.peachtreeroadfarmersmarket.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Photo credit: Sara Craig-Goodell. L-R: Chef Nick Leahy of Saltyard, Asner Jean and Vanessa Ashi with MOWA, Lauren Carey with PRFM, and Farmer Michael Hendricks of Indian Ridge Organic Farm.