Catalyst Kitchens Southeast Regional Summit 2026 – Atlanta, GA
Two powerful learning experiences. One trip. Our final Regional Summit of 2026.
We’re closing out the 2026 Catalyst Kitchens Regional Summit season in Atlanta—and this one offers something we haven’t been able to offer anywhere else this year. Our Southeast Regional Summit brings together two distinct learning experiences in one trip: the 2nd Annual Georgia Food is Medicine Summit and a full day of Catalyst Kitchens programming with Open Hand Atlanta.
It’s a unique opportunity to explore the connections between food, health, workforce development, hunger relief, social enterprise, and community impact—and to learn from people approaching that work from very different perspectives. And because Atlanta is our final Regional Summit of 2026, this is the last chance this year to gather with the CK network in this kind of hands-on, peer-learning environment.
DAY 1 | GEORGIA FOOD IS MEDICINE SUMMIT + OPEN HAND ATLANTA
We’ll begin at The Carter Center for the 2nd Annual Georgia Food is Medicine Summit, hosted by Open Hand Atlanta in partnership with Emory Healthcare. The Summit brings together healthcare leaders, policymakers, corporate partners, advocates, clinicians, researchers, and others from across the Southeast to explore how nutrition can be more fully integrated into healthcare. CK attendees will have the opportunity to hear from leaders in the Food is Medicine movement, learn from emerging research and real-world models, and explore strategies being used to improve health outcomes through nutrition. Then we’ll take the conversation from the conference setting into the community. We’ll head to Open Hand Atlanta for a behind-the-scenes tour, followed by a happy hour networking event—a chance to connect, compare notes from the day, and spend time with fellow CK members.
No separate registration for the Georgia Food is Medicine Summit is needed. Catalyst Kitchens has reserved space for our attendees. Register for the Southeast Regional Summit through CK, and we’ll make sure you’re included.
DAY 2 | BEYOND THE MEALS AT OPEN HAND ATLANTA
Open Hand Atlanta may be best known for its medically tailored meals—but that’s only part of the story.
Since joining the Catalyst Kitchens network in 2024, Open Hand has continued to grow its culinary workforce development program, under the leadership of CK Board Member Chef Kira Scott. Now we get to spend a full day learning how they do it. We’ll dig into apprenticeships, job training, social enterprise, community partnerships, program design, and alumni experiences, including how Open Hand approaches the distinct needs of youth and adult participants. We’ll also explore how an organization with deep roots in hunger relief and nutrition continues to expand its thinking about what’s possible—connecting food access, health, employment, and economic opportunity. Expect the things that make CK gatherings different: honest conversations, practical ideas, direct access to peers doing the work, and plenty of time to ask questions and make connections. Day 2 runs from 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and includes breakfast and lunch.
If you’ve been waiting to attend a Regional Summit this year, Atlanta is your last chance.
Here is the hotel link for the block for our event – https://www.loewshotels.com/atlanta-hotel/group-catalyst-kitchens-network-room-block
Notes on pricing:
Members – If you work for a member organization, this event is free or otherwise very low cost for you! Be sure you have the latest discount code for event registration. It is available on the Catalyst Kitchens website here.
Also for members only:
The 2026 Travel Stipend Request Form is now active! Click here to get started.
These travel stipends are available thanks to the generous support of Toast.org and other funders, each event has support to help members travel where otherwise budgets would be a roadblock to your participation.
Non-members – part of your registration fees can be used to count towards future membership dues. Reach out to the Catalyst Kitchens team today to find out more.