A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROVIDING

FRESH + HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS

FOOD ENTREPRENEURSHIP

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

COMMUNITY FOOD EVENTS

CULINARY AND HOSPITALITY CLASSES

BIPOC INCLUSIVITY

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

The Food Studio

The Food Studio is a community-based shared commercial kitchen located in the Pittsburgh Yards Development in South Atlanta. It will serve as the central kitchen for the Urban Oak Initiative's community plant-based food access programs. Additionally, it will offer shared kitchen space for up to 30 local plant-based food entrepreneurs and hospitality businesses that are in need of food production space. The use of this space will allow local small business owners to obtain food service licensure from the Fulton County Board of Health and or the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Overview

For The past three years, the Urban Oak Initiative has engaged in a number of pilot programs trying to determine different types of ways to get plant-based food to the community known as NPU-V. Some of these programs have been Senior Meals in conjunction with Peoplestown Revitalization Corporation. In partnership with Columbia Residential, we have done plant-based food pop-ups at senior centers such as Rosa Burney Towers, and Rick McDevitt Youth Center. Additionally, we have held programs at Capital View Apartments, Mechanics Crossing and Mechanicsville Station.

While all of these events have been successful we have not been able to fully engage the community due to the lack of adequate and affordable rentable kitchen space. There currently are no available and accessible commercial kitchen spaces anywhere in or in close proximity to Neighborhood Planning Unit V. We have spent the last three years trying to locate a space but to no avail.

During our search for food production spaces, we were presented with the amazing opportunity to develop a space inside of the coveted Pittsburgh Yards Development also home to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Atlanta Civic.

THE POWER OF PLANT-BASED

Plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular due to their many reported health benefits. Eating a plant-based diet can help with weight loss, reduce the risk of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and increase longevity. Here are five reasons why eating more plants can be beneficial for your health:

Reason 1: Nutrient Dense: Plant foods are naturally full of vitamins, minerals, fiber,antioxidants and phytochemicals. Each of these are essential for good health, and consuming them in abundance on a daily basis helps to maintain optimal functioning of our body systems. A balanced plant-based diet is therefore much more nutrient dense than non-vegetarian eating patterns.

Reason 2: Heart Healthy: Plant-based diets have been linked to lower levels of bad cholesterol (LDL). In addition, they are typically low in saturated fat and don’t contain any trans fats which have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Plant foods also supply other key ingredients such as omega 3 fatty acids which help protect the cardiovascular system from atherosclerosis.

Reason 3: Cancer Protection: Plant foods may provide protection against certain forms of cancer due to their high antioxidant content. The antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables fight off free radicals which can damage cells in the body and lead to the development of tumors. Eating a variety of phytochemical-rich plants will ensure that you get a broad selection of antioxidants which may help guard against cancer.

Reason 4: Weight Loss Potential: Following a plant-based diet has been linked to successful weight loss outcomes because these foods tend to be lower in calories then animal products while still providing an impressive amount of nutrition per serving. Plants also often contain dietary fiber which helps promote feelings of fullness so it is easier to eat less while still feeling satisfied after meals.

Reason 5: Environmentally Friendly Option: Eating more plants is not only good for your own health but it can also benefit our planet too! Plant foods require less land and water compared to raising livestock so opting for vegan options whenever possible can help reduce your environmental footprint while still nourishing your body adequately.

In conclusion, there are many advantages associated with choosing to eat a plant-based diet over one that contains animal products. By consuming mostly fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains you can greatly improve your overall wellbeing while supporting sustainable farming practices too!

Urban Oak Initiative's History

In 1997 Robbie Townes, affectionately know as Miss Robbie, was 77-years old and had spent all of her life living in segregated Mississippi and subsequently Missouri. She had seen her share of civil injustices and the financial effects that they had on her community.

Throughout the early '60s her home was a haven for activists and Freedom Riders traveling to and from Mississippi. They were always met with a hot and wholesome home-cooked meal.

She had been a civil rights activist in this region for years and now decided it was time to do something more about these injustices. So at the age of 77-years old she, along with a few other members of her church founded the "Helping Hands Ministry" and received a 501 (c) (3) designation. A first for many in this Black Community.

The purpose of the organization was to provide emergency assistance to families experiencing financial hardships. The non-profit provided food, rental assistance, counseling and advocacy for local civil rights issues. Miss Robbie continued to lead the organization until her transition in 2004 when she went to her final resting place.

Jackie McGee

The next chapter begins in 2004 when Robbie's youngest daughter Jackie (Townes) McGee returns to her hometown and reinvigorates the organization. Jackie had an accomplished career as an attorney, four-term Missouri State Legislator, and experienced community activist. During her years in the legislature she made many relationships that she would to help the organization grow.

For the next 15-years Jackie worked tirelessly to bring more resources and opportunities to this rural Missouri Town. She was successful in starting many programs and initiatives with a focus on the youth. She started the first Boys and Girls Club, Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs, Vocational Training Programs and a robust Summer Food Program. In total, she, directly and indirectly, secured over $15 million dollars in funding for this area. A feat that had never been done before.

In 2017 as she approached retirement Jackie began to hand the baton to her son Kevin McGee for the next chapter.

Kevin McGee

In 2017 Kevin McGee a.k.a. Chef Kev began thinking about how he could steward the organization through its next phase of growth. He wondered how could he use his unique gifts and talents to make an impact in his community.

Chef Kev and his family had always been conscious of their diet and what they ate. Kevin himself has been primarily plant-based for over 25-years. And when his oldest daughter had an encounter with Cancer in 2015, Kevin was even more focused on healthy, conscious plant-based eating.

But it wasn't enough for him and his family to have the plant-based knowledge needed to thrive. He had been taught well by his grandmother and mother the importance of serving your community and sharing with others.

Kevin and his family decided to focus on what they knew, plant-based eating. In 2017 they began offering free plant-based cooking classes. And rebranded the non-profit as The Urban Oak Initiative.

It's still too early to see how this chapter of growth develops, but Kevin is excited about the opportunity to be of service to his community.

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