By Brooke Cannon, 2026 Sunbelt Ag Expo Social Media Intern
EVERY MEAL TELLS a story. Behind every jar of honey, package of bacon, or a basket of peaches, is a farmer and a community that depends on agriculture. Through the Georgia Grown program, these stories are being shared with consumers across the state, strengthening the connection between the people who produce food and the people who enjoy it.
As the official marketing and economic development program of the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Grown exists to help local agribusinesses thrive while making it easier for consumers to identify products grown and made in the state of Georgia.
“Georgia Grown is the official marketing and economic development program of the Georgia Department of Agriculture,” said Lizzy Parks. “Georgia Grown’s mission is to help grow local agribusiness.”
The program has become a bridge between producers, retailers, and consumers, while creating opportunities for businesses of all sizes to expand their reach while encouraging support in local agriculture.
For consumers, choosing Georgia Grown products means much more than purchasing fresh, locally produced food. Parks said buying local benefits everyone involved, from the farmer to the family gathered around the dinner table.
“Purchasing Georgia Grown supports Georgia farmers, small businesses and local communities while providing consumers with fresh, high-quality products,” Parks said.
At this year’s Expo, visitors can experience Georgia Grown firsthand inside the Family Living Building, where members will sample and sell products ranging from honey and jellies to locally made sausage.
Georgia Grown staff will also be available in both the Family Living Building and the Georgia Ag Building to answer questions, connect with producers and share information about the program.
For Parks, the phrase “Growing food, people, and community,” captures the heart of what Georgia Grown represents.
“As humans, one of the easiest ways we connect is through food,” Parks said. “If we can connect consumers to the people behind their food, then we can help strengthen the future of Georgia agribusinesses.”
That connection between agriculture and the consumer is also at the heart of Flint River Fresh, who will also be showcased at the Expo through its educational programming.
Farmer Fredo, executive director of Flint River Fresh, said the organization’s goal is to educate people about how much goes into getting food from farm to table. The organization focuses on beginners, using hands-on applications to introduce people to agriculture and help them better understand where their food comes from.
The organization uses a seven-part training process called the “Fresh Start Smart Lab Program,” which takes participants through the steps of the food production process: seed, water, grow, farm, market, kitchen and fresh rx.
This program demonstrates that agriculture extends beyond the farm. From planting a seed, growing and harvesting a crop, marketing the product and preparing it in the kitchen, every step plays a role in brining food to the consumer.
By giving people the opportunity to experience these steps first-hand, Flint River Fresh helps turn an everyday meal into a greater understanding of agriculture and the people behind it.
As visitors explore the Sunbelt Ag Expo this year, both Georgia Grown and Flint River Fresh will offer opportunities to see their connection in action. Together, their efforts demonstrate that supporting agricultural is not only about producing food, but also about educating consumers, strengthening local businesses and building relationships between farmers and their communities.
Each Georgia grown product and every hands-on agricultural experience represents a larger story – one of farmers, families, businesses and communities working together to keep Georgia agriculture growing.
Supporting local agriculture is about more than buying food. It is about understanding where food comes from, investing in neighbors, preserving agricultural communities and helping grow the next generation of people who understand and value the journey from farm to table.
