Written By: Ashli Price, MARTA Markets & Engagement Manager

One Year Later: A Reflection on the MARTA Markets

Just over one year ago, on June 23rd, we launched MARTA Markets with a simple but ambitious goal: to bring fresh, affordable produce directly to the communities that need it most. As we celebrate our first year, we're reflecting not only on what we've accomplished, but on the relationships we've built, the stories we've shared, and the community that's grown around our markets.

Over the past year, our MARTA Markets program has expanded access to nutritious food at six MARTA stations across Atlanta, serving neighborhoods that have historically been under-resourced and identified as food deserts. Every week, our markets become welcoming community spaces where riders and neighbors can grab a Georgia peach on their way to work, fill a basket with affordable produce, discover local resources, or simply stop for a conversation with our friendly Market Operators.

The numbers tell an exciting story. From June 2025 through June 2026, we connected with more than 11,500 community members across our network. Just last month, we engaged with nearly 1,600 people at our markets, leaning into the energy and excitement surrounding the World Cup. Over the past year, we have distributed more than 9,150 pounds of fresh produce and offered over 100 different varieties of fruits and vegetables. Our community engagement has also seen significant growth. While we initially served 20–30 visitors per market site weekly, we now welcome between 50–100+ riders and neighbors weekly at each location. H.E. Holmes holds the title for the busiest market site to date. As we build trust within our community by consistently showing up with beautiful local produce and compassion, the numbers continue to grow. 

Our greatest success cannot be measured in pounds of produce or attendance numbers. It is measured in the familiar faces we look forward to seeing each week. It's Ms. Lonnette at West End Station, whose love for fresh tomatoes is matched only by her warm smile. It's Shell at Kensington Station, who danced up to me with open arms last week and shared her story of losing her husband and the strength it takes to keep putting one foot in front of the other. It's Monty at Bankhead Station, who had a peachy epiphany after biting into his first peach of the season and proceeded to circle the station telling every person waiting for a bus or a train that they absolutely must try our peaches. It's the gentleman we met recently at College Park who was hungry but didn't have the money to buy food. We were able to send him on his way with a few fresh plums and a list of community resources that could provide additional support. These moments remind us that food is about so much more than nutrition. It's about dignity, connection, and community.

Many of our customers now shop with us multiple times each month. They've gotten to know our Market Operators by name, and our team has become part of their weekly routine. We share recipes, nutrition information, and cooking ideas while introducing shoppers to Georgia-grown produce they may have never tasted before; from sweet Shiranui mandarins to tender roasted beets tossed with citrus honey and Tajin. We love to offer free samples because sometimes one bite leads to the discovery of a new favorite.

From the beginning, we've believed that increasing food access is only one piece of building healthier, happier communities. That's why we've intentionally developed partnerships with organizations working across the issues that matter most: health care, housing, employment, nutrition, education, and civic engagement.

We have welcomed incredible partners who have transformed our markets into hubs for community resources. At Kensington Station, Our House joined us to provide blood pressure screenings and share information about housing assistance, job training, and child care options. The Atlanta Community Food Bank Benefits and Outreach Team regularly helped shoppers at West End enroll in SNAP benefits and resolve EBT issues, making it easier for families to access the support they deserve. Wholesome Wave Georgia supported these efforts at multiple stations as well as providing reimbursement for our Fresh For Less programming, which allows shoppers to receive a 50% discount on all local produce when paying with their EBT card.

At College Park, Sister Ebonique's Bakery showcased delicious, nutrient-dense baked goods featuring our fresh peaches, alongside refreshing peach-blueberry lemonade and shared nutrition education that highlighted how healthy food can also be flavorful. Both Women on the RIse and The DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections Outreach Team provided voter registration, election information, and voter education, encouraging residents to use their powerful voices. We collaborated with Food Well Alliance to plant vegetable seeds with riders young and old, some of whom have since reported that their gardens have begun to grow because of that experience. 

This spring, we were thrilled to welcome dietetics and nutrition interns from Emory University, who expanded our nutrition education efforts by preparing fresh food samples, collecting shoppers’ feedback, and helping us better understand how our markets can continue evolving to meet community needs. We currently have a summer internship cohort of six college students and two high school students who are learning to finetune their strengths to advance mission-driven, community-centered work. 

And we're just getting started. In the coming months, we'll partner with Open Hand and UGA Cooperative Extension to offer cooking demonstrations, fresh summer salad tastings, and recipes featuring seasonal Georgia produce. We will welcome Fulton County Board of Health’s Outreach and Health Education Team to shine a light on the great many services and resources they provide to residents. We'll also launch a Workforce Readiness Activation Series that connects job seekers with resume coaching, interview preparation, professional clothing, technology resources, and workforce development organizations right where our community already gathers.

Throughout this past year, we've also looked for opportunities to respond to immediate community needs. During the holidays, we distributed 400 Thanksgiving turkeys with our partners at MARTA, along with 2,670 pounds of Georgia-grown vegetables, including collard greens, bell peppers, zucchini, and butternut squash, helping families celebrate the season with fresh, local food.

As we begin our second year, we're excited to continue growing; not just in the number of shoppers we serve, but in the depth of the relationships we're building every week. The heart of MARTA Markets has never been simply selling produce. It's about creating moments of connection, providing a space for a dignified shopping experience, and building trust as a community partner. It's about introducing someone to pickled radish, helping a family stretch their grocery budget, celebrating Georgia farmers, supporting our local economy, and connecting neighbors with resources that can improve their health and well-being.

Every week, we're reminded that we're all navigating this life together. If we can make someone's day a little brighter with a smile, a sugar baby watermelon, a bag of fresh vegetables, or a connection to resources that make life a little (or a lot) easier, then we're doing exactly what we set out to do.

Thank you to every customer, partner, volunteer, farmer, and supporter who has been part of this incredible first year. We can't wait to see what we'll grow together next.