We emphasize these four key ingredients, the 4 Ps, in developing a Georgia Food Oasis community:
Create opportunities for the community to participate and learn how to eat, cook, and grow healthy local food.
Develop a collaborative of individuals and partners that include cross-sector professionals like planners, farmers, health professionals, businesses, nonprofits, chefs and residents.
Develop partnership, action, and implementation plans to improve fresh, local food access, supply and consumption.
Identify existing or new policies that cultivate and prioritize a healthy food culture.
1. Increase sustainable farms, farmers and food production.
2. Expand number of community gardens.
3. Encourage backyard gardens, edible landscaping, and urban orchards.
4. Launch Farm-to-School programs (gardens, cafeteria food, and curriculum).
5. Expand cooking skills for simple dishes made from fresh, locally grown foods.
6. Develop local purchasing guidelines, goals and incentives for governments, hospitals, and institutions.
7. Increase local, fresh food availability in low access neighborhoods.
8. Increase and promote local food in grocery stores, farmers’ markets, restaurants, and other food outlets.
The GFO Network helps Georgia communities share challenges, explore home-grown solutions, and develop best practices for improving their local food environment.
To become a member of the GFO Network a community must: