September 19, 2025
AgGeorgia Farm Credit is proud to announce Veggie Park in Augusta, GA, as one of five recipients of its 2025 Farmers Market Grant Program. Veggie Park received $2,000 to support advertising, outreach, and promotional efforts, helping expand the impact of its weekly markets and strengthen the connection between local farmers and the community.
Veggie Park serves as the only market in the Augusta area that doubles EBT/SNAP benefits for eligible patrons. Operating 36 weeks annually, every Thursday from 4–7 p.m., the markets provide fresh, sustainably grown foods to low-income neighborhoods within walking distance, while also creating sales opportunities for local farmers. On average, 250–300 community members attend weekly, supported by approximately 30 farmers and producers from a 50-mile radius, representing Richmond, Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie, Burke, Jefferson, and Warren counties.
“This is more than a market,” said Marketing Manager Rhonda Shannon, who visited Veggie Park on behalf of AgGeorgia. “Along with the fresh, organically grown foods for sale are classes from the Georgia Food for Health program, a Nutritional Moms program, stress management classes, and the long-running Food is Medicine program, now in its 11th year. Students from the medical and dental departments of Augusta University even volunteer to guide participants toward healthy eating.”
Grant funds will help Veggie Park keep vendor fees low, cover SNAP and credit card processing costs, and support marketing efforts requested by farmers, such as radio and online advertising. Augusta Locally Grown, the nonprofit that manages Veggie Park, also provides scholarships to cover liability insurance, ensuring farmers can maximize their profits while reaching new customers.
“Our approach holistically addresses the greatest needs of the community by linking local farmers to the people who need their produce the most,” said Diane Kerekanich, Executive Director at Augusta Locally Grown. “This funding helps us grow both access to healthy food and opportunities for the farmers who supply it.”
A total of $10,000 in grant funding—$2,000 per market—was awarded to five local farmers markets across the cooperative’s 79-county service area in 2025. Now in its fifth year, the initiative has provided $44,500 in funding to support the growth and sustainability of rural markets and the farmers they serve.
AgGeorgia Farm Credit plans to continue the Farmers Market Grant Program in 2026 and encourages all eligible markets, especially those who have applied previously but not yet been selected, to apply during the next cycle.