FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2017
MARTA Puts Fresh Spin on Transit Concessions
Transit Authority Offers Fresh Produce and More at Weekly Fresh MARTA Markets Beginning May 2nd
ATLANTA—
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will open fresh
produce kiosks at four rail stations, the agency announced today. Commemorating
its third season, the Fresh MARTA Market opens with a ribbon cutting ceremony
on Tuesday, May 2 at 2:30 p.m. at the West End Station.
The
markets provide a convenient shopping alternative for fresh, affordable and
locally grown produce. Representatives from MARTA and various partnering
organizations will be on hand for the annual kick-off celebration.
“We
realize that all communities don’t have adequate access to fresh and affordable
produce,” said MARTA GM/CEO Keith Parker. “For us, the Fresh MARTA Market is an
opportunity to help bridge that gap while promoting healthy meal choices.”
Since
its debut in 2015, the Fresh MARTA Market has continued to grow and now serves
four rail stations—West End, College Park, H.E. Holmes and Five Points. This
year, the Atlanta Community Food bank will conduct screenings for the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Childcare and Parent
Services programs (CAPS), which offers childcare subsidies to some of Georgia’s
neediest families. Applications will be available at the West End, H.E. Holmes
and Five Points stations.
According
to Feeding America’s Hunger in America 2014 study, more than
300,000 residents within MARTA’s service area lack reliable access to
sufficient quantities of affordable, nutritious food. “The Fresh MARTA Market
provides competitively priced, locally grown produce all within a transit
accessible location,” said Parker. “We have seen tremendous success from our
Fresh MARTA Markets thus far as we continue to grow this program with this help
of our tremendous partners and vendors.”
The
markets are managed in partnership with the Community Farmers Market, Atlanta
Community Food Bank/Food Oasis-Atlanta, South West Atlanta Growers (SWAG)
Cooperative and Organix Matters. Customers can purchase goods using cash,
credit, debit or EBT.
Shoppers
can also use Georgia Fresh for Less, formerly SNAP 2-for-1. Under the program,
every dollar spent at the market becomes $2 in goods for shoppers. “Simply put,
you can get twice as much at the farmer’s market with Georgia Fresh for Less,”
says Sara Berney, Wholesome Wave Georgia’s executive director. “We match SNAP
and EBT – dollar for dollar – at participating farmer’s markets, so consumers
pay less for fresh, local food that is higher quality and more nutritious.”
Customers
will also find new “fresh value” stands, which offer a variety of prepared
items including salads, breads, baked goods and additional products grown and
sourced locally. “These additional vendors provide on-the-go, healthy options
for our MARTA customers,” Parker said.
Fresh
MARTA Markets will be open daily, 3-7 p.m.:
| West End | Tuesdays, May 2 - Nov. 28, 2017 |
| H.E. Holmes | Wednesdays, May 24 - Nov. 29, 2017 |
| College Park | Thursdays, May 25 - Nov. 30, 2017 |
| Five Points | Fridays, May 12 - Dec. 1, 2017 |
MARTA
GM/CEO Keith Parker at the 2016 opening of the Fresh MARTA Market.
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Contact:
Erik Burton