The Farmer Champion program was launched by Georgia Organics in 2019 to raise awareness about local sourcing and to bring Georgia farmers, institutions, and aggregators together to increase sustainable and organic purchasing. In partnership with QCC, Georgia Organics expanded the Farmer Champion program in 2022 to recognize ECE providers who purchase and serve locally grown food in their program’s meals and snacks.

In 2024, the seven champion programs purchased 30 different types of fruits and vegetables, along with Georgia-produced chicken, lamb, eggs, cheese and bread over a two-month period. They supported the local food system by purchasing directly from farmers, farmers markets, local food hubs, and by choosing local items at independent grocers and large chain grocery stores.

“By connecting young children with fresh, locally grown food, these early care and education programs are planting the seeds of lifelong healthy habits, while also strengthening Georgia’s local food system,” said Alexis Chase, Executive Director of Georgia Organics. “These champions are not only nurturing the minds and bodies of our youngest learners; they’re making a powerful commitment to the overall health of our communities, which starts with healthy farmers and access to healthy food.”

These 2024 Farmer Champion Award winners include:

A Treasured Time Childcare (Cobb County)
4811 Country Walk Estates, Powder Springs, GA 30127

Cynthai Guerrier (Douglas County)
3321 Backcountry Street, Douglasville, GA 30135

Lina Lane’s Learning Center (Clayton County)
2329 Brookgate Way, Ellenwood, Ga., 30294

McClendon’s Family Home Daycare (Henry County)
829 Redan Way, Locust Grove, GA 30248

Polkadot Patch Family Child Care Learning Home (Muscogee County)
1719 Fountain Ct., Columbus, Ga., 31904

The Garden Early Learning Academy (Rockdale County)
1229 Salem Gate Drive, Conyers, GA 30013

Tot Town Daycare (Liberty County)
97 West Kenny Drive, Hinesville, GA 31313

“Early care and education programs have a critical role to play in ensuring young children have access to foods that fuel their rapidly developing bodies and brains,” said Ellyn Cochran, President and Chief Executive Officer at Quality Care for Children. “In addition to serving fresh, locally grown foods, ECE Farmer Champion sites engage children in experiential learning activities, including gardening, cooking, and taste tests.”

ECE Farmer Champion sites will receive a cash award to support continued local purchasing, marketing resources for their program, and will be recognized at the Georgia Organics SOWTH Conference in Atlanta, GA in February 2025.