On Monday, Quavo launched a pre-Thanksgiving farmers market for families in the community. The Atlanta rapper’s foundation, Quavo Cares, held the new initiative at Urban Recipe where roughly 300 families were provided with fresh produce, hygiene products, cookbooks and more.
The foundation typically hosts an annual drive-thru turkey giveaway for the holiday, but they wanted to expand their efforts this year.
“It’s very important to give back,” the rapper said at the event. “We came from nothing, so it’s only right that we give back to the people that have nothing or have less. We just try to help the best way we can. This is just a small portion to the big things that we’re doing.”
The farmers market served families within Urban Recipe’s food co-ops. Patricia Johnson, who lives in the west end, is a member of the co-op. She was able to get vegetables, fruit and turkey from Monday’s farmers market.
“I think they’ve done exceptionally well in how they had everything set up. They had it from A to Z, so you can’t go wrong with that. Everything that they’re giving out, families can really use.”
Credit: Prince Williams/WireImage
Credit: Prince Williams/WireImage
Nicaiah Render heard about the farmers market through the Tender Foundation, a local nonprofit that helps single moms in Atlanta. She was there with her 8-year-old daughter.
“It was really nice,” Render said. “You know there’s been inflation and things like that, so it’s really great to have this during the holidays. It makes you feel thankful that people in the community want to give back.”
Chef Kin Brown, of Chef Brown Catering, also provided cooking demonstrations for families. Former Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith helped serve at the event.
“I’ve been part of this community all my life,” said Smith, a College Park native. “I was born and raised here. As my kids are getting older, I want them to understand the importance of giving back to their community and being able to experience something so humbling.”
The inaugural event marked the first time that Urban Recipe has partnered with Quavo Cares. Jeremy Lewis, Urban Recipe’s executive director, said over 22,000 pounds of food was served in the market. Lewis said events like Huncho Farms are essential for Atlanta communities, given the rise of food insecurity.
A recent Emory University study found that 36% of stores in Atlanta’s majority-Black neighborhoods carried fresh produce compared to 61% in non-majority-Black neighborhoods.
Lewis was glad “to see someone willing to invest and contribute to their own community, finding ways to make sure people have the things that they otherwise may find challenging to really come by, especially at this time of year.”
“What’s great about them is that they’re not just one time,” he said. “They’re doing this over and over again in the community. Quavo, through his foundation, is able to support so many families and make sure that those families on Thanksgiving day have more than enough.”
Credit: Prince Williams/WireImage
Credit: Prince Williams/WireImage
The Migos rapper, Quavious Keyate Marshall, released his new album “Rocket Power” in August — his first offering since the death of his nephew and group mate Takeoff. Earlier this year, he met with lawmakers in an effort to reduce gun violence in the country.
On Sunday, Quavo will perform in a star-studded hip-hop tribute at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the Falcons plays against the New Orleans Saints.
