Local Food System Planning
ARC develops a Regional Resource Plan to protect and manage metro Atlanta’s natural and cultural resources. Local Food System Planning aligns with two adopted policies outlined in the Regional Resource Plan. Creating and protecting space for urban farms, gardens, and orchards fulfills the plan’s objectives to preserve passive greenspaces as well as preserving areas for local food production activities.
The City Agriculture Plan program was launched in 2018 to address major findings of Atlanta’s Local Food Baseline Report developed by local non-profit Food Well Alliance (FWA) (external link). This comprehensive review of the metro Atlanta regional food system revealed a need for growers and community members to have more meaningful participation in the development and implementation of policies and programs affecting local food and agriculture. Since 2026, the initiative is now called Local Food System Planning.
FWA and ARC partnered in 2019 to develop the region’s first City Agriculture Plan for the City of East Point, Georgia. From 2019 to the present, FWA and ARC have worked with four other cities from across FWA’s five-county service area to develop these Plans: Alpharetta, Jonesboro, Austell, and Clarkston. The sixth and seventh cities selected for the Local Food System planning process, which launched in early 2026, are the Cities of Palmetto and Chattahoochee Hills.
Clarkston City Agriculture Plan
Through a community-driven process, this plan identifies local food assets and offers recommendations on how the City of Clarkston can support its community food system.
Austell City Agriculture Plan
The Austell City Agriculture Plan focuses on uniting Austell neighbors by providing educational opportunities that ensure inclusivity and invite intergenerational stewards, fostering a life-long culture of learning and engagement.
East Point City Agriculture Plan
Through a community driven process, this plan identifies local food assets and offers recommendations on how the City of East Point can support its community food system.
Alpharetta City Agriculture Plan
In partnership with Food Well Alliance, ARC and the City of Alpharetta conducted robust community engagement culminating in a City Agriculture Plan to support and grow Alpharetta’s current community food system. The City unanimously adopted the region's second City Agriculture Plan in 2022 and is now using the $75,000 grant to implement the plan recommendations.
Jonesboro City Agriculture Plan
The Jonesboro City Agriculture Plan intersects with the work of other key local partners to be a framework for actions that will strengthen the local food system through collaboration.
Community Gardening Manual
ARC also provides the Community Gardening Manual, a guide to implementing a community garden originally developed in 2010 as part of the Senior Community Garden Initiative. It offers information for individuals and organizations interested in learning more about how to start and sustain participation in a community garden.
