Food Distribution Services and Municpal Market Retail Operations

Invest Atlanta is issuing a dual-track RFP for food distribution services and municipal market retail operations in Atlanta's designated Priority Communities, with proposals due August 6, 2026 by 5:00 PM ET. Respondents may bid on Category A (retail grocery market operator), Category B (food distributor), or both as separate submissions.

Category A seeks a retail operator to develop and operate a full-service grocery market of 15,000–25,000 square feet. The operator must have a minimum five years of grocery retail operations experience, maintain current food safety certification, and operate at least one active grocery location. The proposed store must meet USDA food retail definitions, accept SNAP/EBT, WIC, and TANF benefits from opening day, align inventory with 2020 HHS Dietary Guidelines, and maintain a minimum 95% in-stock rate. Community hiring from Priority Communities is encouraged. The initial operating agreement runs five years or the length of the applicable lease, whichever is shorter, with renewal options contingent on performance. Pricing strategy should prioritize affordability for low-income residents; value-add amenities such as in-store cafes, prepared food, or community programming space are encouraged.

Category B seeks food distributors with a minimum five years of commercial food distribution or logistics experience, current FSMA compliance and food safety certification, and active capacity to service at least two metro Atlanta accounts. Distributors must source a minimum 10% of food product volume from Georgia-based producers at contract start, with a documented path to 20% within 24 months, and implement demand aggregation across multiple sites. Category B mandates 30% of new hires from Priority Communities and requires living wage compliance for all employees. Category B contracts have an initial three-year term with up to two one-year renewal options.

Invest Atlanta offers economic development incentives including low-interest loans, TAD funding, Opportunity Zone tax incentives, C-PACE financing, and technical assistance for Category A. Category B distributors are eligible for grants for refrigerated fleet procurement, cold storage installation, and workforce development, plus subsidized lease rates for warehouse space. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for July 14, 2026 (virtual). Written questions are due July 17, 2026 by 5:00 PM ET, with responses issued July 23, 2026. Evaluation and shortlisted presentations are anticipated in August 2026, with Notice of Intent to Award expected in August or September 2026.