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Wholesome Wave Georgia (WWG) makes fresh, healthy, locally-grown produce affordable and available to all Georgians.
We steward a network of farmers, neighbors, and community partners who believe affordable access to fresh, healthy, locally-grown food creates a more inclusive, nourishing, and loving food system in which everyone prospers.
Wholesome Wave Georgia believes that all Georgians in need should have access to fresh, healthy, locally-grown food choices.
In Georgia, over 1.4 million people are considered food-insecure and receive federal nutrition assistance including SNAP benefits.
The high cost and low accessibility of fresh foods leave these households with limited options to feed their families. Food insecurity is linked to poverty, obesity, and other diet-related illnesses. The effect of food insecurity on America’s families is evident: approximately 65% of adults and 34% of children (ages 2 to 19) are overweight or obese.
We work towards our mission through our core programs: Fresh For Less , Food For Health , and SNAP Connection .
is rooted in our values. They are the guiding principles behind the growth of our programs, the development of our people, and ultimately, the impact we have in the communities we serve.
Local We tailor our food assistance efforts to serve the unique populations and economic needs of urban and rural communities across Georgia by strengthening and uplifting local farmers, small businesses, and local food systems.

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Will Sellers

Abigail Darwin

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Aubrey Cyphert

Kat Joiner

Maria A. Perez

Mike Rouse

Syren Reynolds

Rafael Santiago-Torres

Duane Nutter

Joshua Hines

👩‍🌾➡️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Fresh, healthy, locally grown food brings generations together. Remember eating Grandma’s sweet potato pie or enjoying a bowl of fresh strawberries after a trip to the farmers market? Food brings us together and creates memories that connect families and communities. 💡 WHY IT MATTERS: Access to fresh, healthy food is important at every stage of life. From children discovering new fruits and vegetables to families preparing meals together, Wholesome Wave Georgia supports our neighbors every day. 🎁Giving Tuesday is just around the corner. Your gift helps us get fresh, healthy, locally grown produce from local farmers to Georgia families in need. Donate today at the link in our bio.

👎 BAD NEWS: WWG recently learned that its long-standing USDA grant was not awarded for the upcoming cycle. The USDA grant has powered WWG's Fresh for Less -- our flagship, statewide food insecurity program -- since 2015. 👍 GOOD NEWS: Thanks to our broad base of support from committed citizens like YOU, WWG's Fresh for Less program is still going strong, Our base of support grew at Southern Chefs Potluck, which raised a record high $400,000. Although a major fundraiser like Southern Chefs Potluck makes a dent in our funding gap, it doesn't close it. 📢 WHY IT MATTERS: Budget cuts have a lasting impact for real people like Johnny from Columbus who depend on Wholesome Wave Georgia and the SNAP Program to eat healthy fruits and vegetables. "Without [WWG], we would not eat as healthy a diet! Neither myself nor my wife are capable of working anymore, so SNAP benefits have become an integral part of our budget." We’re in touch with state and local elected officials, corporate partners, and community foundations to secure additional support needed to continue amplifying access to fresh, healthy food to our communities. But the next opportunity for YOU to help is on Giving Tuesday. 🤝 HOW YOU CAN HELP: Donate to our Giving Tuesday campaign (link in bio) on or before December 1. Share our social media posts in November. Introduce us to elected officials and community foundations.

Wholesome Wave Georgia's office will be closed today for Election Day so our team members have the opportunity to cast their ballots. Every day, we work to get fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables from local farmers to Georgia families in need. Making our voices heard is another way we care for our neighbors. Today's an opportunity to shape the Georgia we all want to live in. Let's make Georgia the number one state for democracy. 🗳️ If you are able to make it to the polls today, we encourage you to vote!

What a perfect evening at 5&10 on Wednesday for Southern Sips! The weather was glorious, the company was engaging, and the food and drink were absolutely delicious. Thank you to everyone who joined us. Thank you to WWG Board Chair, Peter Dale, and 5&10 for hosting us, to Piedmont Brewing, Cathead Distillery, Montane, and Quattro Theory for providing tasty tipples, and to Rough Draft for sponsoring the event. A big thank you to Sara Wooten of Evermore Photo Co. for these gorgeous photos. We love our Athens community! @fiveandten @peter_dale @piedmontbrewery @catheaddistillery @montanespring @roughdraftatlanta @evermorephotoco

😱Scary Fact: In Georgia, over 1.4 million people are considered food-insecure and receive federal nutrition assistance including SNAP benefits. The high cost and low accessibility of fresh foods leave these households with limited options to feed their families. 💀Scary Fact: People who experience food insecurity are at greater risk of dying prematurely and living a shorter life after age 50. 👻Scary Fact: Children’s learning outcomes suffer when they regularly experience hunger. Food insecurity affects concentration, memory, mood, and motor skills, all of which a child needs to be able to be successful in school. Wholesome Wave Georgia exists to get fresh, healthy food from Georgia farmers to families in need. We may not be Ghostbusters, but we are here to fight food insecurity one pumpkin at a time. Happy Halloween!🎃

🕓It's 4:00 in Athens, Georgia. Do you know what your Happy Hour plans are? 🚶‍➡️Slams laptop shut, texts friends to meet up, and strolls on over to the patio at 5&10. @fiveandten 🥂We are putting out some noshable nibbles and popping open the wine over for Southern Sips. See you at 5:00!

🧡A heartfelt thank you from the Wholesome Wave Georgia Team to everyone who made Southern Chefs Potluck such a great success in 2026. With your help we raised almost $400,000. 🤯 Thank you to our AMAZING guests, our in kind and financial donors, our auctioneer, Erin Kienzle of Giving4Good Events, our events committee, our event coordinator, Tailor & Table, the service staff from Southern National, our kitchen leads, Brandon Martin and Crystal Leach, our talented photographer, Jenna Shea Mobley, our gracious host, Serenbe, the chefs that donate the most delicious food year after year, the mixologists, and the volunteers. 🙏🙏🙏 🥰My personal heartfelt thanks goes out to the Wholesome Wave Georgia teammates who step out from behind the scenes (their comfort zone) to take on forward facing roles and run this event annually. Every single person who helped make this day perfect helps put fresh, healthy, locally grown produce on the tables of Georgia families in need. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. 🫂 @giving4goodevents @tailortable @southernnationalatl @chefbmart89 @csleach93 @serenbe

🔮Southern Chefs Potluck 2026 included the roll out of a stellar Mystery Wall brought to you by Delta Airlines and curated by WWG Events Chair, Mallory deGolian. 🎁A $125 Entry included a mystery bag containing a little something for everyone--anything from premium wines or spirits to CaseMate bags and Garnish & Gather gift cards. ✈️BONUS - Each Mystery Wall purchase was entered into a drawing to win 2 tickets to anywhere in the world that Delta flies. We sold out in record time and had so much fun along the way! 🙏Thank you to Delta, United Distributors, Beautiful Briny Sea, CaseMate, Fresh Harvest, Garnish & Gather, Little Light Co., Minhwa Spirits, Cathead Distillery, Murrell's Row Spirits, and all of the amazing participating restaurants. @delta @friendsofunited @beautifulbrinysea @casemate @freshharvest @garnishandgather @littlelightco @minhwaspirits @catheaddistillery @murrellsrowspirits

Hey Athens! What are you up to on Wednesday evening. We will be at 5&10 from 5:00-7:00 for Southern Sips. Enjoy a complimentary drink and light bites from Wholesome Wave Georgia Board Chair, Peter Dale, and chat with friends about our mission to get fresh, healthy food from local farmers to Georgia families in need, all while looking radiant in the golden hour sun. Tickets are $25 and are on sale now at the link in profile. We hope to see you there.

Thank you to Odum School of Ecology at UGA for hosting a screening of the fantastic documentary, Groundswell Film, in Athens on Thursday, followed by a panel discussion featuring Will Harris, WWG Fresh for Less partner, Jamila Norman, and Laura Turner Seydel. We walked away feeling inspired and grateful for the regenerative agriculture movement and the way it can return the land to biodiversity and cool our planet. 💚💚💚 @ugaecology @groundswell_film @whiteoakpastures @patchworkcityfarms @turnerfdninc

Our fearless leader, Will Sellers, is at Atlanta Magazine's @atlantamagazine Whiskey Festival this evening at Pullman Yards. He will be trading Mocktails for email signups and spreading the word about Wholesome Wave Georgia. Things get going at 7:00. Cheers, y'all!

Of course, Southern Chefs Potluck would be nothing without the generosity of all of the 🧑‍🍳Chefs, 🍹Mixologists, and 💪Volunteers. Thank you for working so hard to help Wholesome Wave Georgia put on a hugely successful event, for providing such an amazing feast alongside the loveliest beverages, and for laboring into the evening alongside our team. We are eternally grateful to you.

🧡🧡The Wholesome Wave Georgia Team would like to extend a huge heartfelt THANK YOU to the SPONSORS of Southern Chefs Potluck 2026. We truly couldn't make this event happen without your contributions and partnership. Further, thank you, thank you, thank you to the Events Committee led by Events Chair, Mallory deGolian. Your planning, feedback, and support are the backbone of the event. Mallory, the amount of heart, soul, time, energy, and resources that you dedicate to this event and to Wholesome Wave Georgia year round are MOMENTOUS. You are a shining star. ✨✨ @mallorydeg @delta @serenbe @roughdraftatl @beautifulbrinysea @verizon @mwtwindows @r.scottbarber @thisisofficiallyfun @fiveandten @kristie.abney @capitalbillingservices @ihghotels

We loved partnering with Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q and Evans Meats & Seafood for Southern Chefs Potluck. Thanks for the Q, y'all! Let's do it again next year, shall we? Same time. Same place. @foxbrosbarbq @evansmeatsandseafood

Southern Chefs Potluck 2026 may have passed, but there are still lots of lovely folks to recognize. My apologies to these stellar mixologists that didn't get a shout out prior to the event. Everyone please put your hands together for ... 🍹The always amazing and generous with her time, Courtney Castaneda of Kimball House. Courtney has been a staple at Southern Chefs Potluck for years and makes appearances at Backyard Bashes, Southern Sips, and beyond. Anytime we need her, she is there. Currently slinging drinks at Kimball House, Courtney had a long tenure with Ticonderoga Club previously. We especially thank her for bringing the N/A cocktail this year at Potluck. @covrtjc @kimballhouse @ticonderogaclub 🍸Charles Howk of Little Bear approaches cocktails like many of the Southern Chefs Potluck chefs approach food -- focusing on hyper-seasonality, local ingredients, a hint of playfulness, and some vegetal flavors for good measure. If you didn't get a chance to try his Flying Dragon Smash featuring Sapelo Apertivo from Creature Comforts and Trifoliate Orange from Concrete Jungle, you missed out. You'll just have to pay him a visit in Summerhill. @hater_ackermann @littlebearatl @concretejungleatl 🥛James Kim and his business partner, Ming, aim to make Soju using traditional ingredients and methods at Minhwa Spirits. The grain to glass distillery utilizes locally grown rice and pure mountain spring water to create Soju and Makgeoli that pay homage to the old traditional methods. James may have made the perfect autumnal cocktail, pairing jasmine and apple with Soju. @minhwaspirits

Psssst... We have another sneak peek at some of the Live Auction Lots for Southern Chefs Potluck. Take a look early and get your paddles ready. Which will you bid on? 🪄Explore the Magic of Quercus Nestled in the privacy of Georgia's hidden foothills, you and 5 friends will enjoy an incredible meal with wine pairings at farm-to-table restaurant, Uberto, the laboratory of Chef Ryan Smith and Kara Hidinger’s Michelin-starred Staplehouse. Before dinner, you’ll get an exclusive farm tour and pre-dinner drinks. VIP transportation provided to and from the venue. @quercus 🚐Buford Highway Culinary Tour Take a one-of-a-kind bus tour of the living mosaic of cultures along the BuHi corridor. Experience authentic international shopping, cuisine, and stories guided by Angie Mosier and Mallory deGolian, complete with "on-board beverages" by Greg Best. The Sunday of exploration for 10 will end with a sit-down feast at Kamayan. Surprise guests may help guide the tour along the way. @angiemosier @mallorydeg @deepthirst @kamayan_atl 🌮Who doesn’t love a taco party? You and 50-75 of your friends or colleagues will enjoy tacos and more from El Ponce and Local Three. You'll feast on delicious tacos packed with locally sourced ingredients -- including pork from Riverview Farms and produce from Fresh Harvest's farmer friends -- along with all the fixins, margaritas, and cervezas! You pick the venue or have the party on the patio at El Ponce. @elponceatl @localthree @riverview_farms @freshharvest 🛏️New FORTH Ward Staycation One lucky couple will experience the Old Fourth Ward in a totally new way. Begin your journey with a wine tasting at 3 Parks Wine, followed by a fantastic dinner at Il Premio and dessert at Big Softie. After a luxurious stay at The FORTH hotel, you’ll have leisurely lunch at O4W’s newest restaurant, Sargent. @3parkswine @ilpremioatlanta @bigsoftie @forthhotel @sargentatlanta

Roberto Montalvo, General Manager and Culinary Director at El Ponce, has led the way to create a neighborhood dining spot that introduces a love and respect for traditional Latin American food and culture melded influenced by American sensibilities without straying from its roots. The typical crowd-pleasers have their place on the menu, but the ingredients at their base are locally grown or raised and are top quality. Experiments with traditional techniques and dishes that honor the families of El Ponce teammates are Easter eggs to find. At it's heart, El Ponce is about community, fellowship, and eating some really great tacos. 🌮🌮 El Ponce has been a huge supporter of Wholesome Wave Georgia for many years, and we can't wait to see what they will bring to Potluck. The mushroom flautas from Southern Sips hold a special places in our hearts (we mean tummies). Be on the look out for an awesome Live Auction Lot from El Ponce. @elponceatl

Not only does Chef Maximilian Hines churn out fun, casual bar food and Gulf Coast seafood favorites at Breaker Breaker, but he also fosters community and collaboration with his pop-up series, Stolen Goods, through which he hosts weekly pop-ups at Breaker Breaker and special occasion meals like the Fourth Annual Edna Lewis Sunday Supper at Bread & Butterfly. For a deeper cut, check out his short-lived but outstanding podcast, Just Sat with Maximilian Hines, where he speaks with major players of the Atlanta culinary scene. I wonder what Chef Hines will bring to Southern Chefs Potluck on Sunday. Whatever it is, we are here for it. Can't wait to see y'all! @maximilian_hines_ @breakerbreaker_atl @stolengoodsatl

_It's 5:00 somewhere (here, it's here) and we are dreaming of cocktails... Mixologist Carter Culwell of Talat Market will be slinging one of his delicious and creative concoctions at the Southern Chefs Potlluck reception on Sunday. When he was last with us in 2024, his cocktail featured cabbage. What do you think will be the key ingredient this go round? We would love to welcome our first ever Columbus-based mixologist, Chad Scrimpshire of Nonic. One look at Nonic's cocktail menu and you know that you are in for some fun. Bold and delicate flavors mix to form a playground for the palate. We are delighted to try one of Scrimpshire's libations. More mixologist profiles to come this week so belly up to the bar. You are in for a treat. @carter.culwell @talatmarketatl @nsync_fan69 @nonic_usa

At the heart of her business, Dandelion Food & Goods, Chef Stella Dillard underscores that Food Is Medicine, Food Is Fun, and Food Is Love. Inspired by nourishment, self-care, and joy, Chef Dillard cooks local, whole foods for you to enjoy in your home. If plant forward, allergen free, heartwarming food is your love language, Dandelion Food has you covered. 🫛🍅🥕 We can't wait to see what Chef Dillard brings to Southern Chefs Potluck on Sunday! @stellamakessalads @dandelionfoodstore

Psssst... We have a sneak peek at some of the Live Auction Lots for Southern Chefs Potluck. Take a look early and get your paddles ready. 🏡Ultimate Serenbe House Party: This special 2027 Sunday night event for 12 guests, curated by Marie Nygren, starts with a glass of bubbly at Serenbe’s wine shop, a walking tour of Serenbe with Steve Nygren, a stop at Austin’s - Serenbe’s intimate cocktail bar, followed by dinner by Chef Steven Satterfield and breakfast by Chef Anne Quatrano. Your residence for the evening will be The Portal, a Scandinavian-inspired 6-bedroom, 8-bathroom intimate retreat in Serenbe. 💭Dinner Party of Your Dreams: Award-winning Chefs Christopher Grossman, Joey Ward, Karl Gorline and Claudia Martinez invite you for an exclusive Sunday evening at Georgia Boy, where up to 14 of you will have the restaurant all to yourselves. 🎉 Backyard Bash: A backyard cocktail bash for 25 of your closest friends catered by chefs and mixologists of Southern Chefs Potluck... You provide the location, and we’ll pull together the food, drinks and décor! Stay tuned for more Live Auction Lots later this week.

💙Today's SNAP Story is brought to you by Kaiser Permanente. Six years ago, Nick lost his son. His son was the person most invested in helping him stay well and navigate SNAP benefits. His son drove him to doctors appointments. He checked on his medications. He encouraged him to move, to eat with intention, and to use his SNAP benefits as a resource for his health. Nick’s son showed his love through everyday actions, quiet consistent ways that love helps another person keep going. After his son passed away, life changed. Today, Nick is becoming increasingly intentional about his health. His disability limits how much he can exercise and therefore the food he chooses has become an important part of how he cares for himself. With limited financial resources, SNAP helps make those choices possible. For Nick, SNAP is not simply a benefit. It is an essential tool. SNAP helps Nick stretch limited resources toward foods that better support the body he is working to care for. It gives him greater choice and allows him to participate more intentionally in managing his health. It is one of the resources helping him continue a journey his son once encouraged him to take. As he says, “I have to do what I have to do and get help where I can.”

We have been talking up the participating chefs at Southern Chefs Potluck, but now it's time to start spotlighting the folks behind the bar. First up for our Featured Mixologists are Miles Macquarrie and Brian Le. Miles Macquarrie hardly needs an introduction to the Wholesome Wave Georgia crowd. He has been shaking up the spirits at Southern Chefs Potluck since our 2nd event, and has supported Live Auction lots left and right for years. When he isn't lending his talents to our cause, he is earning James Beard Award nominations and Michelin accolades for his beverage program at Kimball House, developing cocktail menus for Gene's, creating recipes for Tip Top Proper Cocktails, and making waves at Shiny Dimes Oyster Farms. Phew...I'm exhausted just typing this all up. Meet Brian Le, lead bartender at Bar ANA (below El Ponce). Alongside the Bar ANA team, they serve up seasonal snacks, desserts, and cocktails to those in the know. Prior to Bar ANA, they joined Miles behind the bar at Kimball House. They love serving drinks, flexing and taking care of people, and that's just what they will be doing at Southern Chefs Potluck in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned for more featured mixologists.... Cheers, y'all! 🍹 @miles_macquarrie @kimballhouse @_genesgenesgenes_ @tiptoppropercocktails @brianvonley @barana.atl

While he may be best known for his beloved Charleston restaurant, Two Boroughs Larder (which closed in 2016), Chef Josh Keeler is currently working with The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, leading the opening of Oak Steakhouses all over the Southeast, and will take the culinary helm at St. Albans Sporting Club in Atlanta when it opens it's doors later this year. Oak Steakhouse in Athens opened just this month, and Chef Keeler heralded the relationships he is getting to build with local farmers and producers, saying, “Working with someone who you’re on a first-name basis with is incredibly important. They respect what they do.” Beyond hyper-seasonal cooking, Chef Keeler celebrates the individual ingredients, focusing on the natural flavor of each carrot or each steak on the menu, prepared in the best way possible. We can't wait to see what Chef Keeler has in store for us at Southern Chefs Potluck! It's right around the corner! @theindigoroad @oaksteakhouse @stalbanssportingclub @joshkeeler

💙Today's SNAP Story is brought to you by Kaiser Permanente. When Mildred thinks about Atlanta decades ago, she remembers something many neighborhoods no longer have: Gardens. “My mother always had a garden in the backyard,” she recalled. “And so did other people in the neighborhood.” For Mildred, those gardens represented more than food. They represented community. “We may not have always had what we wanted,” she said. “But we always had a little bit of what we needed. And if we didn’t have it, somebody else did.” Today, life looks very different. Like many older adults living on a fixed income, Mildred relies on SNAP to help pay for groceries. Her monthly benefit is less than $100. After paying for rent, utilities, transportation, and personal care expenses, there is very little room left in her budget.

At Avize, Chef Karl Gorline creates a magical and artistically rendered Atlanta-Alpine experience. The plates are as much a visual treat as they are flavorful, combining traditional Bavarian and Alpine techniques and flavors with those prevalent here in the heart of the South. Avize tops many a Best Of list, and it's obvious why. What do you think Chef Gorline will bring to Southern Chefs Potluck? Prepare to be blown away! @avize.atl @kingofthechews

We know we've been talking a lot about Southern Chefs Potluck, but there is another fantastic event coming up later this fall. 🍾🍹Come see us at @fiveandten in Athens on October 28 for Southern Sips! A $25 ticket gets you a welcome drink and light bites from Chef Burns Sullivan plus each drink purchased benefits Wholesome Wave Georgia. 🧡We can't wait to enjoy a Golden Happy Hour with you! Get your tickets at the link in our bio.

The doc is in with your Produce Prescription! 💊 A Produce Prescription (PPR) is a medical treatment or preventive service for eligible patients who may have diet-related disease or face food insecurity. Here’s how PPR Helps ⚕️Improve Healthcare outcomes 💲 Reduces Medical Spending ☺️ Increases patient satisfaction Wholesome Wave Georgia takes PPR programming further through the WWG Food For Health Program! Through our local work, both patients and local farmers benefit: participants get direct access to fresh, healthy, locally grown food and farmers increase their revenue. No two plates look the same because no two households are the same, but they'll be full of healthy veggies. Wholesome Wave Georgia is a proud member of the National Produce Prescription Collaborative since 2023 🧡 🔗Click the link in our bio to learn more about Food for Health and PPR! 🍎"

Chef Jonathan McDowell, Culinary Director of The Forth Hotel, will join us at Southern Chefs Potluck representing Il Premio, an elegant, well-appointed Italian Steakhouse found within Forth. Designed to allow guests to taste through the menu, Il Premio centers woodfired steaks (including a 41 ounce Bistecca Alla Fiorentina), but other offerings span continents, joining traditional Italian fare and American steakhouse classics. Executive Chef of Il Premio, Chef John Adamson, will be joining Chef McDowell, and we can't wait to see what they bring with them. Both bring years of expertise and we know their dish will be nothing less than exquisite. @forthatlanta @ilpremioatlanta Tickets are going very fast, so go ahead and get yours today if you'd like to join us. Link in bio.

💙Today's SNAP Story is brought to you by Kaiser Permanente. For most of his life, independence wasn’t something Reggie thought about. It was simply how he lived. He worked, cared for himself, cooked his own meals, and never imagined that one day something as ordinary as opening a can or chopping an onion would become one of the hardest parts of his day. Now, those small tasks have become daily reminders that his body has changed faster than his spirit. When asked how he’s doing, he rarely pauses before answering, “I’ll make it.” He says it with a smile. He says it while gripping his wheelchair. He says it as he watches his neighbors freely come and go. He says it when his hands no longer have the strength to prepare the fresh fruits and vegetables he wishes he could eat. I learned he also says it because hope has become a habit and a life line for him. Although SNAP helps Reggie purchase food each month, the reality of living with limited mobility means his choices are different than many people assume. Fresh produce often requires peeling, chopping, lifting, and standing – simple tasks that have quietly slipped beyond his ability. Instead, he carefully selects shelf stable foods that he can prepare safely on his own, stretching every SNAP dollar while doing everything possible to remain independent. Oftentimes there’s a bias against users of SNAP purchasing shelf stable foods. But through this conversation, it’s clear to me that sustainability is the main goal. Whether the nourishment is fresh or canned, the key is stability. Food security isn’t always about food being available. Sometimes it’s about whether a person has the physical ability to prepare it. If you or someone you know are having trouble applying for government benefits, Wholesome Wave Georgia's SNAP Connection hotline is here for you: 678-631-7101.

Chef Nicholas Wilber of Indaco believes that seasonality is the most important rule of the kitchen. The Mediterranean fare on the menu follows suit with dishes prepared simply, focusing on the premium, in season, locally produced ingredients themselves as the showstopper center of the plate. We can't wait to see what Chef Wilber brings to Southern Chefs Potluck on October 4th! @chef_wilber @indacoatl @theindigoroad

💙Today's SNAP Story, brought to you by Kaiser Permanente: For most of his life, Rubin believed hard work could carry you through almost anything. Living in Atlanta, Rubin often worked two full time jobs, taking pride in being able to provide for himself. Today, Rubin depends on a wheelchair and the daily support of a caregiver. The hardest part, he says, wasn’t learning how to live with physical limitations. It was learning how to accept help. “I’ve always been the one taking care of myself,” he says. “Now I need people for things I never thought I’d need.” That included applying for SNAP benefits. Rubin doesn’t ask for sympathy. In his own way, he asks for understanding. He hopes that one day an EBT card won’t be seen as a symbol of failure, but as a community choosing to care for its neighbors. Just as we build sidewalks for those who cannot walk with ease and ramps for those who use wheelchairs, programs, like SNAP, help ensure illness, injury, or unexpected hardship don’t also become hunger. In the end, none of us knows when life might change. When life changes, compassion and not judgment is what helps people find their way forward. After all, as Rubin says, “Life happens.” If you or someone you know is struggling to access SNAP benefits, call Wholesome Wave Georgia's SNAP Connection hotline at 678-631-7101.

Chef Jimbo Irvin serves as Director of Culinary Operations for Unsukay Restaurants, which includes fan favorites such as Local Three, Muss & Turner's, Eleanor's, MTH Pizza, and Roshambo. He has gotten his hands in the dirt raising pigs, rabbits and cultivating veggies at Snapfinger Farm, catered events all over town, and has found a home at the heart of one of Atlanta's essential restaurant groups. Chef Irvin loves to barbecue, so it seems fitting that he will be manning the pit for one of our 2025 Live Auction Lots being fulfilled in a few weeks. We can't wait to see what Chef Irvin brings to the table at Southern Chefs Potluck on October 4th! @unsukay @mussandturners @localthree @mthpizza @roshamboatl @thecoolerdoor @jimboirvin

Story time from Wholesome Wave Georgia Fresh for Less partner, Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market: "One of the Statesboro Farmers Market’s founding beliefs is that food is an essential ingredient for building community and creating connections. Through in-person outreach and educational videos, we have worked tirelessly to increase access to fresh, healthy, local produce while helping community members feel more confident preparing and enjoying seasonal foods. Thanks to Wholesome Wave Georgia’s Innovation and Cultivation Grant, we produced a series of cooking videos designed to answer a question we often hear from our community: “What can I do with that?” Although we initially planned to produce 12 videos, we ultimately completed 9. We chose to prioritize the quality, clarity, and usefulness of the content rather than risk compromising the project’s purpose with too many videos. Through this project, we learned that producing high-quality videos requires significantly more time, editing, and labor than we originally anticipated. We look forward to continuing this work with those lessons in mind. There’s often anxiety in working with unfamiliar foods. To make trying new ingredients easier, our videos include written instructions, clear step-by-step visuals, and additional information about the ingredients featured in each recipe. While we don’t have a direct way to measure the effectiveness of the cooking videos, we saw a substantial increase in distribution and redemption of Fresh for Less incentives, and an increase in EBT transactions between 2024 and 2025. We believe these numbers reflect the growth of community connections and relationships we’ve developed. We are deeply grateful to Wholesome Wave Georgia for its continued support of our mission and for helping make this project possible! " Thanks for partnering with us, y'all. We love you! @mainstreetfarmersmarket

If you keep up with Atlanta's restaurant scene, you know that the opening of Sargent this summer has created quite the buzz. Brought to you by the same folks behind Lucian Books & Wine, Executive Chef Jason Paolini is elevating American flavors to an art form -- appropriate to the restaurant's namesake, painter John Singer Sargent. Chef Paolini has joined us at Southern Chefs Potlucks past, but we absolutely can't wait to see what he has to offer at this year's event. (Would it be too much to ask for some of those tiny caviar sandwiches everyone has been talking about? 😋) @jasonpaolini @sargentatlanta @lucianbooksandwine

💙 It's time for another SNAP Story, brought to you with help from Kaiser Permanente: Jasmine has called Atlanta home for more than 30 years. Now in retirement and aging solo, she works hard to maintain her independence, carefully balancing housing, healthcare, and everyday expenses. SNAP is an important part of her monthly budget. When asked what the hardest part of receiving SNAP benefits has been, she simply said, “I am getting lost in the paperwork.” With help from her daughter, she’s working through the process, gathering documents, and trying to understand what information is needed. While she’s grateful for the assistance, the uncertainty has been overwhelming. “I’m just hoping I don’t lose my benefits while I’m trying to figure it all out.” Jasmine’s story reflects a challenge many older adults face. The barrier isn’t always eligibility—it’s navigating a system filled with forms, deadlines, documentation requirements, and rules that can be difficult to understand. A move, a missing piece of paperwork, or uncertainty about medical deductions can place essential food assistance at risk. If you or someone you know is struggling to navigate the system surrounding government benefits like SNAP, call Wholesome Wave Georgia's SNAP Connection hotline at 678-631-7101 for Benefits Assistance. 🧡

Dedicated to sourcing local ingredients, cooking seasonally, and providing a nourishing and wholesome menu, Chef Jacob Hunter serves dishes that are healthy and hardy--a little something for everyone that makes The Daily a weekly (or daily) staple for neighborhood diners. While the vibes at The Daily are casual, the breakfast and lunch fare offer an unexpected sophistication. We can't wait to see what Chef Hunter brings to Southern Chefs Potluck on October 4th. Tickets are going fast. You don't want to miss out. @jacobhunter3000 @thedailyatl

Highly lauded for his ability to elevate Southern cuisine while embracing global influences, Wholesome Wave Georgia is excited to welcome back long-time supporter, Chef Duane Nutter of Southern National. Chef Nutter sources the best seasonal and local ingredients, creates playful and elegant dishes with them, and has a lot of fun doing it. We can't wait to see what he'll bring to Southern Chefs Potluck this year. Not only is Chef Nutter joining us, but Southern National will be providing their hospitality team to make sure the event goes smoothly at the tables. Thank you Southern National for everything you do for Wholesome Wave Georgia. 🧡🧡🧡 @chefdnutter @southernnationalatl

Wholesome Wave Georgia is proud to have The Food Mill in Columbus as a WWG Food for Health partner site. 🚚 Their hardworking team delivers fresh, locally grown produce and pantry staples directly to neighborhoods with limited access to healthy food, supporting local farmers with every stop. ✨New Market Stop: The Food Mill Mobile Market is expanding to a new market stop in Pine Mountain, bringing fresh fruits and veggies from trusted regional farms to a new community. 🍎Double Your Benefits: Buy fresh local produce and double your SNAP benefits to put more healthy food on tables for families and more money in the pockets of local farmers! 📅Check @thefoodmillcolumbus to view their September Mobile Market Calendar.

🍔A good burger, made with the best ingredients, can be a heartfelt testament to feeding neighbors. At Chef Malik Rhasaan's low key eatery, Che Butter Jonez, the burger rules. A variety of smash burgers, each one-upping the last, plus fish sandwiches and a few sides make up the small (but certainly not simple) menu. Chef Rhasaan's food speaks loudly, and we are here for it. We can't wait to see what he will whip up for Southern Chefs Potluck on October 4th. See you there! @chebutterjonez @chefmalikrhasaan

Thank you for joining us for Southern Sips at Serenbe last week! 🥂 We are grateful for your support and for spending quality time with those who believe in our mission to bring fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables to Georgia families in need. Thank you to our sponsors for helping us bring it all together, and Chef Bour for the delicious light bites! 🏡Farmhouse at Serenbe 🍺 Piedmont Brewing 🍸Cathead Distillery Missed out or want to join us again? We hope to see you at the Southern Chefs Potluck on October 4th for an amazing lineup of chefs, craft cocktails, and an exciting live auction you don’t want to miss. Tickets are on sale now in our bio! 🎟️ @serenbefarmhouse @piedmontbrewery @catheaddistillery

Chef Brandon Martin has worked in some of the best kitchens in Atlanta prior to landing at the Capital City Club in 2020. Now the Executive Chef at the Downtown location, Chef Martin loves the autonomy and breadth of his work. His favorite part of the job is coming up with experimental themes for the rotating restaurant concept onsite. Chef Martin loves working on events for Wholesome Wave Georgia and is always one of the first to volunteer to help with a special dinner or to run the Back of House kitchen space at Southern Chefs Potluck. He'll be slinging apps at this year's event so make sure to arrive in time for Cocktail Hour to grab one of his tasty treats. @chefbmart89 @capitalcityclubatlanta

At Lazy Betty, Chef Ron Hsu brings a culinary perspective inspired by his globe-spanning work history to a menu that is at heart rooted at home. Chef Hsu's highly acclaimed restaurant boasts a Michelin star, James Beard Foundation Semi-Finalist status, plus places on Best of Atlanta lists from Eater Atlanta, The Infatuation, Bon Appetit, Southern Living, Time Out, and more. At the core of the innovative fine dining menu is a playful spirit, an upbringing in the Hsu family's mini-chain of Chinese restaurants, and a love of food instilled in Chef Hsu by his mother, Betty. Chef Hsu is sure to bring something delightful yet thoughtful to the table at Southern Chefs Potluck, and you know we will be first in line to try it. See you there, friends! @lazybettyatl @chefhs

🤝 SNAP Story: “One of the hardest things is making sure the basics are covered,” Becky said. “Sometimes just putting food on the table is hard for families.” Ten years ago, Becky and her husband moved from Alabama to Atlanta to help raise her grandson. Becky works part-time because of a disability, and her husband is disabled. Expenses began to pile up. “Senior fees, clothes, activities with friends, and rising rent,” she said. “It all adds up.” That’s why SNAP/EBT helped this family stay stable. The cushion helped bridge the gap between her part-time income and everyday costs of raising a child. Now that her grandson is graduating and preparing for college, she knows EBT helped her family get there. Navigating SNAP isn’t always easy. WWG's SNAP Connection team is here to assist with government benefits. If you or someone you know needs help, call 678-631-7101 for assistance.

While Kamayan, the restaurant Chef Mia Orino runs with her husband, Chef Carlo Gan, comes Michelin recommended, it is anything but pretentious. Serving shared traditional and regional Filipino fare, every service provides a feast fit for family. Guests sit communally and eat by hand. Each dish provides a combination of textures, flavors, and temperatures, contrasting succulent meats with bright fruits and vegetables to delight the palate. We can't wait to load our plates up with Chef Orino's Filipino specialties at Potluck! @kamayan_atl

Southern Sips at Serenbe is tomorrow! 🍸 Join us at the Farmhouse from 5:00 - 7:00 PM! We'll have a menu of cocktails, mocktails, beer, and wine for purchase. We’ll share about our programs while enjoying great food and company. We can’t wait to see new and familiar faces! 👐 What to Expect 🍹Every beverage purchase is a donation towards Wholesome Wave Georgia's mission and programs. 🧑‍🍳Chef Nic Bour will serve complimentary light bites with the incredible Farmhouse team. 🎷Steve Arnold will set the mood with live saxophone music. 🍷Plus, guests receive one complimentary drink at check-in. Click the link in our bio to grab your $35 ticket today. Sip and enjoy! 🥂 @serenbefarmhouse @serenbe @nicolasbour

Chef Peter Dale exudes a quiet confidence in conversation, is a serial restaurateur, a talented chef, but first and foremost, he is a leader. In fact, serving as Board Chair of Wholesome Wave Georgia, he is OUR leader. He meets his teams where they are, providing respect, opportunity, and guidance. He puts a final touch of love on everything he is a part of, which can be seen in his current businesses: 5&10, Maepole, and Condor Chocolates. While Chef Dale may be known for his savory dishes, at Southern Chefs Potluck this year, he will represent Condor Chocolates with mouthwatering signature treats on several attendee tables. We can't wait to sneak a morsel of chocolate...or two. @peter_dale @fiveandten @maepole_ @condorchocolates

Chef Parnass Savang and Chef Rod Lassiter forged a connection while working at Kimball House, bonded over a love of Traditional Thai food and seasonal cooking, and came together to open Talat Market in 2018. Chef Savang was tired of seeing Thai restaurants dumbing down flavors and techniques for unexperienced diner palates. He wanted to present the same level of warmth and hospitality, but be uncompromising on the food. Between running highly accoladed Talat Market and working towards a Fall 2026 opening of cocktail bar, Some Luck, these two are busy guys so we are so glad they are making a little room to join us at Southern Chefs Potluck on October 4th. @slrlsl @parnass_lim @talatmarketatl @someluckatl

💙We are super proud of the cohort of graduates from the Douglasville Food for Health program! Wholesome Wave Georgia Food for Health provides Produce Prescriptions to food insecure Georgians and their families facing chronic, diet-related illness. Here you see our Executive Director, Will, and our Programs Coordinator, Kat, with the amazing team at Wellstar who partnered with us to make this a great success. They'll be back at it with a new group very soon. @wellstarhealth

Wholesome Wave Georgia is excited to welcome Chef Bruce Logue of BoccaLupo back to Southern Chefs Potluck this year. Chef Logue crafts Italian-American inspired handmade and extruded pasta dishes with seasonality and innovation. Clearly well-versed in global cuisine, Chef Logue's food stays true to its roots while borrowing food traditions and techniques from world cuisines. All this to say that perusing the menu at BoccaLupo makes our mouths water and makes decision making quite difficult. We can't wait to see what Chef Logue has in store for us at Southern Chefs Potluck. Tickets are going fast so get yours today at the link in our bio! @boccalupoatl

We'd love to see you at the Serenbe Farmhouse for Happy Hour on Wednesday, August 26, from 5-7 pm!🧡(Link in profile) Southern Sips will feature complimentary light bites from our dear friend, Chef Nic Bour, and the incredible Farmhouse team, along with one complimentary drink at check-in.😋 Special musical guest Steve Arnold will set the mood with his saxophone in what promises to be a lovely evening. 🎷 There will also be a special menu of cocktails, mocktails, beer, and wine for purchase. Every drink purchased generates a donation to WWG. 🍹 @serenbefarmhouse @nicolasbour

Chef Demetrius Brown is classically trained, his resume boasts some of the highest regarded restaurants in Atlanta, and his calling is to teach Metro-Atlanta about the global journey of the cuisine of the African diaspora. Chef Brown, with partner Brandon Blanchard, owns Bread & Butterfly in Inman Park, a traditional bistro by day and home to Heritage Supper Club by night. In just a short time, however, Heritage Supper Club will have its very own brick and mortar location in Summerhill, focused on a Celebration of Caribbean and Afro-American Culture, Tradition, and Cuisine. The flavors and techniques Chef Brown brings to the table and the palate tell a story all their own. We can't wait to taste this years potluck offering. Get your tickets at the link in bio! They are going fast! @chefs_state_of_mind @bread_and_butterfly @heritage.atl

Carol is considering going back to school to become a mental health aide, a career focused on helping people during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. As she looks into returning to school, one question keeps coming up: How do you prepare for a better future while managing the demands of today? For Carol, SNAP has helped answer that question. SNAP doesn’t solve every problem, but it helps make sure there is food on the table while she focuses on her next steps. It provides a measure of stability during a season filled with important decisions. Many people receiving SNAP are actively working toward their future. They are caregivers, students, parents, and professionals in training. They are investing in themselves while continuing to contribute to their communities. Today, SNAP is helping Carol meet her basic needs. Tomorrow, she hopes to use her education and experience to help others do the same.

Chef Terry Koval and his wife, Jenn, run a trio of "cozy, convivial restaurants" in Decatur. All three draw inspiration from the local harvest, but they each honor their own special corner of culinary delight. Fawn celebrates Sea and Stone, The Deer & The Dove showcases Forest and Field, and B-Side fills you up with Wit and Whimsy (plus coffee, bagels, pastries, and sammies on the side). Chef Koval has been a true friend to Wholesome Wave Georgia, always answering the call and giving of his many talents. What do you think he will bring to the feast at Southern Chefs Potluck on October 4th? We hope to see you there! Link in profile. @terrykoval @fawnwineamaro @thedeerandthedove @b_side_decatur

We raised $5,002.89 for Georgia farmers!🥳 Your support helps farmers make fresh, healthy food affordable for families in need, matching SNAP/EBT spending at farmers markets while putting more into farmers' pockets. 🧑‍🌾 We are grateful for your help in continuing to support small, local independent farmers, and we are grateful for everyone who donated to our Farmers Market Week 2026 campaign.

If Chef Ami Dand's microbakery, Sweet Basil Cakes, isn't on your radar, you have been missing out. Be it a custom celebratory cake or the perfect finish for a special dinner party, the treats that Chef Dand can create are nothing short of extraordinary. You may know that we place desserts on each table at Southern Chefs Potluck as edible centerpieces. You will certainly want to be at the table decorated by a Sweet Basil Cakes creation so you can taste her talent after your savory palate is satiated. Tickets are going fast so get yours at the link in our profile. 🍴🧡🍰 @amiscakes @sweetbasilcakes

Meet Wholesome Wave Georgia's new Communications Intern, Joshua Hines. Joshua is a senior at Columbus State University, with a track record of social media planning, execution, and growth. He immediately jumped in to help our Farmers Market Week campaign, drafting all of our social media posts and becoming part of our editorial process. He will further assist with our Giving Tuesday campaign and other communications related research and tasks through early December. 📚 In his spare time, Joshua likes to read Thrillers and Young Adult novels.

Today is the last day of National Farmers Market Week, and we need your help to reach our fundraising goal. All funds from this campaign go directly to local farmers to make healthy food affordable for Georgia families in need. By paying the farmers, we will: 🍎Reduce the cost of locally grown produce 🌡️ Reduce diet-related disease 🧑‍🌾Increase revenue for small, independent farmers No matter how big or small, you can make a difference today. Tap the link in our bio to support local farmers to continue to make healthy produce affordable! 🍑

“Farmers markets are fantastic venues to bring people together. At the SFM, we want people to love their food, love their farmers, and love their community.” - Kelsie Cobb, Statesboro Farmers Market Manager We want to thank the Statesboro Farmers Market for the hard work they do to help families eat fresh, healthy produce. We're thrilled that they're partnering with us for our National Farmers Market Week fundraiser. @mainstreetfarmersmarket Funds from WWG's campaign go directly to local farmers, who then use those funds to make healthy food more affordable for Georgia families in need. Help us put more money into the wallets and pocketbooks of local farmers! Tap the link in our bio to make a difference in your community today! 🧑‍🌾

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