Community Farmers Markets

What Community Farmers Markets does

Community Farmers Markets (CFM) is a 501(c)-equivalent nonprofit founded in 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia, that operates weekly producer-led farmers markets across four metro Atlanta neighborhoods (Decatur, East Atlanta Village, Oakhurst, and Grant Park), with vendor participation restricted to farms and food producers operating within 200 miles of Atlanta. In 2025, CFM hosted 170 outdoor markets plus 60 pop-up markets, generating approximately $2.86 million in sales for local farmers and small food businesses and serving more than 200,000 attendees across its locations.

CFM's product portfolio extends beyond the core markets to include a SNAP/EBT matching program (administered with Wholesome Wave Georgia) that doubled purchasing power for food-insecure families at $44,000+ in 2025, monthly Free Produce Markets at four Title I elementary schools (40,000 lbs of produce and 918 free meals distributed in 2025), the ShopCFMATL.org online ordering platform launched in 2020, MARTA station markets, seasonal cookbooks at $12 each, and educational chef demonstrations reaching over 8,000 community members. The technology stack is deliberately light: token-based SNAP POS, an e-commerce storefront, email/newsletter, and organic social channels (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest).

CFM is funded through a mix of individual donations (with tiered sustaining programs up to a $1,000+/year Queen Bee sponsorship), vendor participation fees, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants (notably the Drawdown Georgia Climate Solutions & Equity Grants cohort), and event revenue from annual fundraisers including Lady Locavores, Farm Fondo, and Red Clay Soirée. The organization reported a $70,000 funding gap during National Farmers Market Week 2025, and operates with an 11-50 person team led by Executive Director Katie Hayes.

Name

Community Farmers Markets

Legal name

Community Farmers Markets

Website

https://cfmatl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Community Farmers Markets is an Atlanta nonprofit operating weekly producer-led farmers markets in four metro neighborhoods, serving 200,000+ attendees annually with SNAP/EBT matching, free produce distribution at Title I schools, and educational programs supporting local farmers and food-insecure families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Farmers Markets and Community Food Access

NAICS

Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers (444240)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140)

akta.pro primary industry

Farmers’ Markets & Farm Stands (Fresh Food) (CRAHAHAE)

Keywords

• Farmers market operations
• Local food access
• SNAP EBT matching
• Community food programs
• Producer-led markets

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Contributions: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants. The organization conducts annual fundraising campaigns with matching donation programs (e.g., 2:1 matching up to $50,000). Queen Bee donor tier at $1,000+/year includes Vitamix sponsorship for families in need.
2. Vendor Fees and Market Operations: Revenue from vendor participation fees at farmers markets across four locations. Markets generate sales for local farmers and small food businesses totaling $2.86 million annually.
3. Product Sales (Seasonal Cookbooks): Sale of seasonal community cookbooks featuring recipes from farmers, vendors, and chefs. Cookbooks sold for $12 at market info booths.
4. SNAP Match Program: Every $1 spent in SNAP/EBT at markets is matched with $1 in tokens, effectively doubling purchasing power for food-insecure families. CFM provided $44,000+ in SNAP match in 2025.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Community Farmers Markets operates weekly outdoor producer-led farmers markets across four Atlanta neighborhoods (Decatur, East Atlanta Village, Oakhurst, and Grant Park), hosting 70+ local farmers and small food businesses that sell products they grow or produce within 200 miles of Atlanta. The organization supplements market operations with a SNAP/EBT dollar-matching program (every $1 doubled), free produce distribution at Title I elementary schools, a virtual ordering platform (ShopCFMATL.org), seasonal community cookbooks, educational chef demonstrations, and special community events.

Product overview

Community Farmers Markets (CFM) operates a network of weekly outdoor farmers markets across four Atlanta neighborhoods (Decatur, East Atlanta Village, Grant Park, and Oakhurst), functioning as a non-profit dedicated to providing access to local food, supporting farmers, and creating community spaces. The core offerings include producer-led markets where vendors sell products they grow or produce within 200 miles of Atlanta, supplemented by a SNAP/EBT dollar-matching program that doubles purchasing power for food-insecure families. Additional programs include Free Produce Markets at Title I elementary schools, a virtual market platform (ShopCFMATL.org), seasonal cookbooks, educational chef demonstrations, MARTA station markets, and special events including Lady Locavores, Farm Fondo, and Red Clay Soirée. The organization generates approximately $2.86 million in annual sales for local farmers and small businesses while serving over 200,000 market attendees across 170+ outdoor markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Weekly Farmers Markets (Decatur, East Atlanta Village, Grant Park, Oakhurst) Weekly outdoor producer-led farmers markets operating across four Atlanta neighborhoods, featuring 70+ local farmers and food vendors who sell products they grow or produce themselves within 200 miles of Atlanta. Markets operate Wednesdays (Decatur), Thursdays (East Atlanta Village), Saturdays (Oakhurst), and Sundays (Grant Park).
• SNAP/EBT Matching Program All four CFM markets accept SNAP (food stamps/EBT) and double the dollar value through token matching, with every $1 spent worth $2. Matching is funded through the Wholesome Wave Georgia partnership. CFM provided $44,000+ in SNAP match in 2025.
• Free Produce Markets Monthly free produce distribution at four Title I elementary schools within the City of Atlanta, providing fresh food purchased directly from farmers to families in need, including ready-to-eat meals and recipe demonstrations. CFM distributed 40,000 lbs of free produce in 2025.
• ShopCFMATL.org Virtual Farmers Market Online ordering platform offering customers the ability to shop virtual farmers market offerings with curbside pickup at various CFM market locations across Atlanta.
• Seasonal Community Cookbooks Series of seasonal community cookbooks featuring recipes from CFM farmers, vendors, market supporters, and local chefs, available for purchase at market info booths at $12 each.
• MARTA Markets Fresh produce markets at Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) transit stations providing economic opportunities for local farmers and food access in transit-served communities.
• Lady Locavores Annual Event Annual event organized by Community Farmers Markets since 2016 that uplifts women in Atlanta's food ecosystem through a brunch block party featuring women farmers, chefs, and food makers.
• Farm Fondo Cycling and Farm-to-Table Event Annual cycling and farm-to-table event combining bike rides with visits to local farms and community gatherings, supporting CFM's local food mission.
• Red Clay Soirée Annual Fundraiser Annual fundraising event benefiting Community Farmers Markets' operations, programs, and food access initiatives.

Quantifiable outcome

• $2.86M in sales for local farmers and small businesses (2025)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, minor and flagship.

• Wholesome Wave GeorgiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing SNAP/EBT matching at all CFM markets. Every $1 spent in SNAP benefits is matched with $1 in tokens, doubling purchasing power for food-insecure families. Critical partner for food access mission.
• Drawdown GeorgiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimate Solutions & Equity Grants recipient. Partnership supports Free Produce Markets and market meals program using local ingredients. Grant funded by Ray C. Anderson Foundation, Atticus Fund, R. Howard Dobbs Jr. Foundation, Ghanta Family Foundation, Tull Charitable Foundation, and others.
• Concrete JunglecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner for Free Produce Market program at Title I schools. Helps drive program into neighborhoods and supports food sovereignty in disinvested communities designated as food deserts.
• MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMARTA Markets program bringing fresh produce to transit stations. Originally targeted commuters but evolved due to low ridership post-pandemic. Partners with CFM for vendor sourcing and market operations.
• Better Earth (Farmer's Fibers)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides compostable packaging made from regionally sourced, rapidly renewable materials for Free Produce Markets. Sample bowls and utensils also compostable.
• Conscious Babes Who BrunchmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Lady Locavores event partnership celebrating women in Atlanta's food ecosystem. Rooted in shared values of supporting women-led businesses, celebrating local farmers, and creating community connection spaces.
• Lady LocavoresflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual event organized by Community Farmers Market uplifting women in Atlanta food ecosystem since 2016. Features women farmers, chefs, and food makers with brunch block party.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• City Seed: City Seed operates multiple farmers markets in the New Haven, CT area along with SNAP matching, food access programming, and farm-to-school initiatives. Directly mirrors CFM's mix of producer-only markets, SNAP doubling, and outreach to underserved communities.
• FRESHFARM: FRESHFARM operates producer-only farmers markets across the Washington DC metro area, with a mission-driven non-profit model focused on regional food systems and SNAP/EBT support. Closely comparable to CFM's multi-location weekly market format and food access mission.
• GrowNYC: GrowNYC operates a network of Greenmarkets farmers markets across New York City neighborhoods with producer-only rules and food access programming. Direct comparable to CFM as a non-profit operator of multiple weekly outdoor markets serving as community gathering spaces and supporting small local farmers.
• The Food Trust: The Food Trust is a Philadelphia-based non-profit that operates farmers markets, nutrition incentive programs, and food access initiatives, including SNAP doubling. Closely comparable to CFM in combining market operations, food access, nutrition education, and school-based programming.
• Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance: NFMA operates a network of farmers markets in the Seattle area with a focus on supporting small local farms and expanding healthy food access. Comparable as a regional non-profit multi-market operator with a producer-led, food-access-driven mission similar to CFM's.

Others

• Atlanta Community Food Bank: Atlanta Community Food Bank is a large-scale hunger-relief non-profit serving metro Atlanta with food distribution, SNAP outreach, and nutrition education. Shares CFM's food access and SNAP-matching focus in the same geography, but operates a food bank/wholesale distribution model rather than retail farmers markets.

Regional players

• Georgia Farmers Market Association: GFMA is a statewide non-profit supporting farmers markets across Georgia through education, advocacy, and grower resources. Comparable to CFM in mission and regional scope, but functions as a trade/advocacy body rather than a multi-market direct operator.
• Nashville Farmers' Market: Nashville Farmers' Market is a public market featuring local farmers and food artisans in a major Southeastern US metro. Comparable in operating a multi-vendor local-food marketplace, but located in Nashville rather than Atlanta and structured as a public market rather than weekly outdoor markets.
• Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association: PCFMA operates a large network of certified farmers markets in the San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding California counties. Comparable as a multi-market operator but serving a different (West Coast) geography from CFM's Atlanta metro footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Wholesome Wave: Wholesome Wave is a national non-profit that partners with farmers markets across the country to deliver SNAP/EBT doubling and nutrition incentive programs. A direct operational partner of CFM (via Wholesome Wave Georgia) and comparable as a food-access-anchored non-profit, though operating at national scale rather than as a single-market operator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cfmarkets
• Facebookfacebook.com/communityfarmersmarkets
• Instagraminstagram.com/communityfarmersmarkets
• Pinterestpinterest.com/farmatl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-farmers-markets

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Farmers Markets