Andrea Mabry
Graduate Research Assistant
American Studies / Center for Community-Based Partnerships
University of Alabama

Since 2006, I have been involved with Homegrown Alabama, a student organization that seeks to educate students and community members about the value of local produce, as well as foster partnerships between local farmers, the University of Alabama, and the greater Tuscaloosa community. Through work with Homegrown, participation in several conferences, and research in agro ecology, I have gained a much better understanding of food’s importance as a tool for social change, conversation, and community development. Homegrown’s current main project is a weekly on-campus farmers market from May until October. The community enthusiastically supports this market, which is run entirely by University of Alabama students. As a director of the organization for the past three years, and manager of the farmers market for the 2011 season, I have worked to establish partnerships with various organizations and to help create a welcoming public space in which community members can build ties and converse about issues surrounding food production and availability.

Homegrown examined many possibilities for the best way to introduce local foods onto the University of Alabama campus and to spur conversation among members of that community about getting Alabama-grown foods into the diets of students, namely in on-campus eateries. We determined that an on-campus farmers market would be the most impactful and visible way to demonstrate a demand for those products. The market will begin accepting EBT/SNAP (food stamps) during the 2011 season and participates in Deacon’s Deli, Canterbury Episcopal’s food pantry program, which distributes vouchers to its patrons to purchase produce at market. In addition, both market vendors and customers will be encouraged to donate fresh food to Deacon’s Deli and Meals on Wheels.

The student organization actively searches out partnerships with other groups within the University and elsewhere. As a representative of Homegrown, I participate in many conversations on and off campus about food security and the environmental and cultural impacts of what we choose to eat. The market has been extremely successful since its inception in 2007, and has arguably been the most visible participant in the Tuscaloosa local foods initiative. Since it began the area’s conversation surrounding local foods has grown tremendously.

Homegrown Alabama is in the process of becoming a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and submitting grant proposals for funding to establish itself as a liaison between Alabama farmers, restaurants, and consumers. By creating a network of producers and consumers who are interested in making local foods a priority in this state, Homegrown hopes to increase the economic vitality and morale of the state. As executive director of the nonprofit, I will shape the strategy that Homegrown utilizes in order to accomplish our goals.

My ultimate goal for my studies and my work with Homegrown Alabama is to help facilitate a vivacious network of farmers and consumers who truly value the food they eat because they understand the hard work that goes into growing it. This means creating new farmers in the state, making food security a mission, and educating the public about the processes involved in food production.