In this episode, I get to sit down and talk with Augusta Locally Grown, Executive Director, Rebecca van Loenen.
Augusta Locally Grown Inc (ALG) has been connecting local sustainable farmers to customers for the past 13 years. ALG started with a retiree selling local farmers produce via a website with customers picking up from her kitchen,. ALG has flourished to an organization that oversees a multi-site online market, traditional farmers market that doubles EBT/SNAP purchases , and a vegetable prescription program. Recently, Rebecca van Loenen (me) was appointed as the new ED , filling in the shoes of the past 12 year ED, Kim Hines. Rebecca comes to the table with a background in web design and a third generation entrepreneur. With three months into the position, she has had to maneuver the organization as sales quintuple from the community demand do to the virus.
An incredible testimony to the hard work and dedication of it's members, ALG was the beta test site for the state of Georgia for their vegetable prescription program six years ago. ALG supports 40+ growers/producers via their online market.
Rebecca answered this question with one of the most pivotal messages we've heard on this podcast to date.
What is one takeaway piece of actionable advice you would like to leave with our listeners today?
Food is foundational. From the moment an eight-month old is born there's such an emphasis on how to feed for bonding and what to feed. What you feed yourself feeds the very ounce of who you are. Let your food nourish yourself and your community.
You can find and follow Rebecca and the Augusta Locally Grown community at: http://augustalocallygrow.org
Or on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/AugustaLocallyGrown/
And as always you can reach me at trainandflourish@gmail.com
