Plenty of great food stories have roots in Georgia, but for Chuck Meadows, that’s taken a bit more literally than for most. See, Meadows is the owner Jim Adams Farm & Table restaurant in Bolton Village, a project that was sparked out of a trip with his daughters to visit his family’s farm in Greene County, Georgia. It was here, back in the 1900s, that his great-great-uncle and the restaurant’s namesake, Jim Adams, became the owner of about 90 acres of farmland. Adams’ grandson Willie Adams continues to tend the land while playing an integral role in the development of Jim Adams Farm & Table as the lead advisor.
However, before his visit, Meadows had no interest in the restaurant scene. Meadows is the former executive director of the Atlanta Beltline Partnership, so identifying the needs within the Atlanta area was nothing he was a stranger to. “I was aware of the growing local food movement and the lack of access to healthy food options, specifically in impoverished neighborhoods,” he recalls. But it wasn’t until he revisited the farm that the idea immediately sparked to start an urban farming project in the city of Atlanta and expand it into a storefront market and restaurant.
Honoring a Legacy and Serving Community
The restaurant serves a variety of soups, sandwiches and wraps and local produce can also be purchased at its neighboring market. Last fall, they were honored with a visit from Oprah Winfrey and politician Stacey Abrams. Jim Adams Farm & Table is not only tackling sustainability and community enrichment but is an established resource for Bolton residents and local farmers alike. “This is a social enterprise, so being able to operate as an outlet for the farmers to bring their products to market is important to us,” says Meadows.
Currently, the market features local partnerships with farm owners from the surrounding areas. While it’s easy to get discouraged by the challenges of urban farming, Meadows recognizes the need for this amenity within the community they serve and is proud to be at the forefront of a solution.
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“I want to honor my great-great-uncle Jim Adams legacy and celebrate his accomplishments. That’s the thing that connects me back to a sense of purpose.”
Continue to keep Jim Adams Farm & Table in mind by connecting with them on social media at Instagram or visiting their website.
