Clarkston becomes first DeKalb participant in City Agricultural Plan

City of Clarkston became the first DeKalb County municipality to begin developing a City Agriculture Plan with Food Well Alliance, according to a Feb. 20 news release.

Clarkston now joins East Point, Alpharetta, Jonesboro, and Austell as Georgia cities creating plans for strengthening local food systems, the news release states.

City officials said the Food Well Alliance City Agriculture Plan outlines policies and programs that help communities increase access to locally grown food over the next three to five years. Residents’ input shapes these plans, which are backed by a $75,000 implementation grant from the Food Well Alliance. Food Well Alliance may also apply for additional grants to support the cities’ vision and works with groups such as Atlanta Regional Commission, according to its website.

The plan will also take inventory of the available resources in the city and connect with other organizations and community leaders to broaden the plan’s impact, according to details from Jonesboro’s City Agricultural Plan. Jonesboro’s plan also includes items such as youth engagement, increasing access to SNAP, partnerships with faith-based organizations, food transportation, shared food resources, cooking and food preservation classes, food processing, food events, food packaging, eating, and disposing.

Community engagement is key to crafting a plan that reflects the needs and aspirations of Clarkston residents, according to the news release. Chances to provide input include:

• Community survey: The survey will be in person at local hubs and events between February and May, and city officials added that the survey will be online in the future. The first 100 respondents will receive $10, according to city officials.
• Community conversations: In March and April, open discussions are set to be hosted across Clarkston with community co-facilitators. The first 50 participants will receive $25.
• Local events: Food Well Alliance will be at various gatherings, including the Friends of Refugees Spring Festival and the Refuge Coffee Spring Market.

City officials urged Clarkston residents who live, work, or grow in the city to participate and help shape the future of local food access. Food Well Alliance added that Clarkston’s plan will be tailored to the cultural diversity of the city.