Ken, Haile, and Keir Johnston are brothers who live and work in Philadelphia. Each has made his mark in community-oriented projects in different ways.
At the annual SOWTH conference, Agnes Scott College earned the 2024 Farmer Champion Award from Georgia Organics for its commitment to strengthening local food systems and supporting sustainable agriculture.
The college was honored with the award after serving students local food and consistently purchasing locally sourced foods in 2024. Agnes Scott committed to purchasing food from local farmers through its local food distributor, The Common Market, and supported 19 regional farmers and producers through their purchases.
Mercer University was recognized with the Farmer Champion Award by Georgia Organics, celebrating its unwavering commitment to strengthening local food systems and supporting sustainable agriculture.
"Morrison chefs communicate their purchasing commitments in advance, allowing these producers to make appropriate investments into their operations and grow with minimized risk, supporting The Common Market to onboard even more producers of color and to be involved in a forward commitment schedule. This has created a positive impact for our farmers in the southeast, with Morrison being at the forefront of the journey."
“With this program, we’re able to bring produce directly from farmers to the student community at UTSA,” said Hallie Casey, director of partnerships for The Common Market, in a statement. “By knowing your farmer and where your food comes from, we can guarantee you're getting the freshest food possible and the food that's going to be the most nutritious for you. It’s been a pleasure partnering with UTSA and Aramark to make this happen.”
For seemingly forever, cafeteria food has gotten a bad “wrap.” But school districts are trying to change with the times, promoting healthier and more varied options for students. The school district's pilot program recently received $40,000, through the Georgia ACRE Collective, allowing it to further its locally sourced food options for students. Chef David Garcia with Marietta City Schools (MCS) knows all about the change.“If I’m going to make any change to the school system, this is the way to do it,” Garcia said.
This school year, the district began partnering with the Central Texas Food Bank through its newly established Food Hub Program and is continuing to work with The Common Market Texas to receive chicken, fruits, and vegetables. These organizations gather products from multiple farms in the area and deliver them to LTISD campuses.
“We saw that opportunity to harness our infrastructure that already exists to uplift small-scale producers while increasing access to nutritious food to our next generation of community members."
The initiative is made possible through support from the Georgia ACRE Collective’s Local Food Incentive Pilot, a program facilitated by The Common Market Southeast and other Georgia-based organizations that aim to support an equitable regional food system. The pilot program has been instrumental in helping RCPS integrate more locally sourced ingredients into its menus providing students with fresh, high-quality food.
“The progress of Full Futures is only possible through the power of collaboration,” said Kate Barrett, President of The Campbell’s Foundation and Director, Campbell’s Community A airs. “Schools are more than just places of learning; they’re community hubs that play an essential role in feeding and caring for students and families. Our district and non-profit partners are the core of this effort, working together to make a lasting impact on the school community.”
In a groundbreaking collaboration, UTSA Dining has partnered with The Common Market Texas, a nonprofit food distributor, and UTSA’s Roadrunner Pantry to launch the Farm-Fresh Box Program. This initiative brings fresh, locally-sourced produce boxes to the campus community, providing critical support for those facing food insecurity while also supporting local farmers and underutilized farms.
Our friendly and educated team is here to partner with you every step of the way. Connect today to learn of all the ways to partner with The Common Market.
"Being able to connect to a distributor and an organizer like The Common Market - that allows us to reach a local food producing community in a major way - is for us, a dream come true."
— Lucy Kerman, Ph.D., Vice Provost, University and Community Partnerships, Drexel University