LISTEN: Fulton County's farmers market will hand out hundreds of vouchers to address food insecurity for seniors affected by SNAP cuts during the shutdown. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports.

 

women fill big paper bags with produce

Sherba Austin (center) and Sabrina Hudson (right) help to fill bags with produce at a farmers market Nov. 19, 2025.

Credit: Amanda Andrews / GPB News

Fulton County is offering fresh produce at four different senior centers leading up to Thanksgiving to fill in the gaps for SNAP recipients during the holiday.

The county is offering 500 vouchers for seniors to access the Winter Farmers Market for free.  Normally, the markets are hosted by the state, but this time Fulton County stepped up with funding. 

Nutrition coordinator Brandy Coffee said the market is a direct response to the SNAP crisis.

“So typically it takes three months to organize something of this multitude,” Coffee said. “One, we have a huge voucher number. We've never offered a voucher in this amount before. Also, we have a huge turnout, and so it took our team joining together to put this together.”

Recipients will each get a $100 voucher. With the voucher, they can get eggs, collard greens, sweet potatoes, and other fresh holiday staples courtesy of the farm Atlanta Harvest.

Sherba Austin works with the farm. She said it does a lot of markets for seniors.

“Today is a special day because Thanksgiving is coming — and you know everybody wants to get their fresh fruits and produce for Thanksgiving — and we're grateful that we can offer that service,” Austin said. “Especially with what's going on with SNAP people uncertain, whatever. At least they’re getting something. At least these people are getting something, you know?”

Michael Kelly is a senior in Sandy Springs. He said the market has been a good experience. 

“I was thinking, 'Wow, that's exciting; somebody's looking out for the seniors now,'" he said, "You know, with the holiday season here and coming up on us. It felt very enriching and very favorable and exciting that they would take the time out to even think about someone else.”

The final farmer’s markets will be held Monday, Nov. 24 at Bowden Senior Center and Tuesday, Nov. 25 at Harriet G. Darnell Senior Center, both from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tags: food insecurity  SNAP benefits  Fulton County  farmers market  Georgia  GPB News