In 2011, The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta launched the Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative, to leverage the spending of anchor institutions to support the creation of a network of environmentally sustainable, community-based businesses that could offer opportunities in underserved neighborhoods. After a feasibility study conducted by The Democracy Collaborative, the foundation moved forward, with business expertise and $800,000 in funds from champion donors, to develop a business plan, lease land, and secure memoranda of understanding from anchor buyers to create its first business, the Atlanta Lettuce Project. The Atlanta Lettuce Project will provide large-scale lettuce and herb production for institutional food service customers and other buyers. The business is scheduled to open in 2015, and will employ 40 people, who will receive soft skills and job training from a local workforce development partner.