the money back, meaning this program
could operate for many years to come.
This program would incentivize brick-
and-mortar grocery stores to open in areas
classified as food deserts, or areas where
access to affordable, healthy food is limited or impossible. Businesses
could only qualify for these loans if they plan to open in qualified
areas of the country, and the money would go towards start-up and
construction costs. Once those applications are available, they will
be posted online, and announcements will be sent to the public.
LOY'S FARMER'S MARKET
Loy Young, owner of Loy's Farmer's Market, is one business
owner who applied for a loan with the ECD. This money is
helping him bring fresh, local grown food to neighborhoods that
fall within food deserts.
"When they closed the Kroger on Pio Nono Avenue, that
brought light to that area being a food desert," Young said.
"My customers depend on me in that area to bring fresh
produce to them."
Young comes from a family of farmers in Montezuma, Georgia.
His love for selling produce came from his Uncle AC Leary.
Young experienced troubling younger years and ended up in
prison. Once he was released, he knew he needed to turn his
life around. Young wanted to work for himself, and Uncle AC
encouraged him to go into the produce business. It was something
that was familiar to Young since he had been around it all of his
childhood. He decided to come to Macon and worked at a local
sandwich shop, but he never forgot about his uncle's idea.
"I finally caved, talked to my uncle, went into the field in
Montezuma, got some produce, and put it in my truck," Young said.
"With my uncle's guidance, I started off slowly selling watermelon
but stuck with it, and it has evolved into what it is now."
Fast forward six years, Young works with local farmers
to harvest and bring fresh produce to different parts of the
community. He has pop-up produce stands in different locations,
ABOVE: LOY YOUNG
HARVESTS HIS OWN
GREENS TO BRING TO
THE FARMER'S MARKET
Join the fight against food insecurity
Seeking food aid, or know somebody who is? Middle
Georgia Community Food Bank keeps a comprehensive list
of local food pantries, including times of distribution, here:
mgcfb.org/find-healthy-food
Also, consider volunteering at one of these local
organizations that Macon-Bibb County recognized in 2022 as
helping feed our community:
Melanated Community Stimulation Project
152 New St. Suite 112
(470) 236-3526 | mcsprojectinfo@gmail.com
mcsprojectinc.square.site
Like on Instagram | Follow on Facebook
The Mentor's Project
484 Mulberry St.
(478) 765-8624
mentorsprojectbibb.org
Follow on Facebook
Middle Georgia Community Food Bank
4490 Ocmulgee E Blvd.
(478) 742-3958 | info@mgcfb.org
mgcfb.org
Like on Instagram | Follow on Facebook
Fathers Among Men
600 Guy Paine Rd. Suite 102B
(470) 232-0236 | info@fathersamongmen.org
fathersamongmen.org
Follow on Facebook
Backpack Ministries – Forest Hill
United Methodist Church
1217 Forest Hill Rd.
(478) 477-1161
foresthillsmacon.com/service/backpack-ministry
Follow on Facebook
U Create Macon
2000 Third Ave.
(478) 747-7920 | ucreatemacon@gmail.com
u-create-macon.business.site
Follow on Facebook
C-QUL
411 Holt Ave.
(478) 741-1268 | acooke@thesoutherncenterforchoicetheory.com
www.cqul.org
Follow on Facebook
United Way of Central Georgia
277 MLK Jr. Blvd.
(478) 745-4732 | amorris@unitedwaycg.com
unitedwaycg.org/food-insecurity-central-georgia
Like on Instagram | Follow on Facebook
78 maconmagazine.com | FEBRUARY/MARCH 2023
