Atlanta’s culinary scene thrives because of the people who pour their creativity into every meal they serve. Food truck operators, bakers, caterers, and small food businesses bring culture, innovation, and flavor to our city each day. Their passion fills neighborhoods, festivals, and community events with life.

Yet behind the scenes, these entrepreneurs confront significant challenges. Licensed kitchen space is scarce. Ingredient costs continue to rise. Permitting is confusing. Storage, production areas, and reliable prep space are often out of financial reach. These barriers make it difficult for talented creators to expand their businesses, even when the demand is there.

The Atlanta Restaurant Association created The Hood² to change that.

A Space Built for Growth

The Hood² is a shared kitchen and food business hub designed to meet the needs of Atlanta’s most dedicated culinary entrepreneurs. The facility provides access to a range of modern, professional resources, including:

• Ten fully equipped commissary kitchens for food truck operators
• Four high-capacity production kitchens for growing food businesses
• Two shared catering kitchens for chefs preparing for large events
• A spacious wholesale cooler and freezer that allows members to purchase food in bulk at significantly lower prices
• A media center for content creation, branding, and marketing
• A hydroponic farming area that produces fresh vegetables like lettuce, basil, spinach, tomatoes, and microgreens

Every element was designed with purpose. Entrepreneurs gain reliable, affordable access to high-quality kitchen space, safer food storage, and fresh ingredients that help reduce costs and increase profit margins.

Meeting the Needs of Atlanta’s Food Community

Atlanta is home to a vibrant network of food trucks, pop-ups, caterers, and small culinary ventures. Many operate with passion but lack the infrastructure needed to remain stable and compliant. The Hood² helps address these concerns by offering:

• Affordable kitchen rentals
• Dedicated food truck commissary services
• Ingredient storage and bulk purchasing opportunities
• Support with licensing, inspections, and health regulations
• Business development, networking, and mentorship opportunities

These services allow entrepreneurs to focus on what they do best: creating exceptional food. By reducing financial strain and simplifying regulatory processes, The Hood² opens doors that have traditionally been out of reach for small food businesses.

Leadership That Understands the Industry

The Hood² is guided by leaders who know the culinary world firsthand and are deeply committed to strengthening Atlanta’s food community:

Susan Douglas, Founder of The Hood and President of the Greater Atlanta Restaurant Association
Susan brings expertise in food safety, operational advocacy, and industry growth. She has built her career supporting restaurant owners and food entrepreneurs across the region.

Shawn Garcia, Director of Operations
With strong experience in restaurant management and operations, Shawn ensures that all programming, safety standards, and facility functions run smoothly so entrepreneurs can work confidently and efficiently.

Their leadership ensures that The Hood² is not just a facility — it is a community-driven ecosystem built with integrity, professionalism, and real understanding of the industry’s needs.

Why Your Giving Tuesday Support Matters

Your contribution expands real opportunity for Atlanta’s culinary workforce. When you give, you help:

A food truck operator secure reliable kitchen space
A baker reduce ingredient costs through wholesale access
A caterer take on larger events
A small business owner gain the tools, space, and support needed to scale
A creative entrepreneur join a community that wants them to succeed

Every gift strengthens the infrastructure behind Atlanta’s food scene. You support job creation, economic mobility, cultural expression, and the families who depend on these businesses.

Invest in the People Who Feed Atlanta

Supporting The Hood² means investing in the future of Atlanta’s culinary landscape — a future where small food businesses can grow without the barriers that traditionally hold them back. Your generosity helps build a more vibrant, inclusive, and economically thriving food community.

The Atlanta Restaurant Association invites you to stand with the entrepreneurs who nourish this city, uplift its culture, and give Atlanta its unforgettable flavor.

This Giving Tuesday, your support becomes a catalyst for creativity, community, and opportunity.

The Atlanta Restaurant Association Presents: The Hood²

By United Federal Grants Clearinghouse (Fiscal Sponsor: Abundant Charities)

The Atlanta Restaurant Association Presents: The Hood²

Where Atlanta’s Food Community Grows Stronger Together