Sweet Grown Alabama Hosts Restaurant and Farmer Networking Events
August 23, 2022
To connect restaurants with locally grown products, Sweet Grown Alabama, the state’s non-profit agricultural branding program, hosted three Restaurant and Farmer Networking events in August. Culinary professionals in Huntsville, Birmingham and Auburn took home valuable knowledge about marketing, sourcing local and connected with local farmers onsite. In addition, every restaurant in attendance had the opportunity to receive a complimentary one-year membership in the Sweet Grown Alabama program, which uses an online database to promote locally grown products.
Lost Creek Mercantile and Provisions restaurant owner Carma McMichen said the bringing together of restaurants and local farmers is long overdue.
“It can be hard to get local product at times,” said McMichen, who operates in Ranburne. “Networking is a great way to make those plans with farmers about what your restaurant will need for the future.”
These networking events gave restaurants the chance to engage with local farmers, ask questions about their food and taste the difference local can make. Buying local can also eliminate supply chain issues for local restaurants.
“All of my children help out on the farm and have their own favorite part,” said Beth Hornsby, owner of Hornsby Farms in Auburn. “When you buy from my farm you are not only supporting me, but my family too.”
Contributing more than $70 billion annually, agriculture is a key component in Alabama’s economy. Studies show that for every dollar spent locally, 60 cents are reinvested into the community. Consumers can ensure their hard-earned money stays in Alabama when purchasing Sweet Grown Alabama members’ products.
Farms that attend the networking events included:
Alchemy Farms and Plants- Hampton Cove
Alleluia Acres Heritage Farm- Alabaster
Andrews Double A Ranch Wildly Blessed- Eclectic
Blue Ribbon Dairy, LLC- Tallassee
Eastaboga Bee Company- Lincoln
Maraella Vineyards and Winery, LLC- Hokes Bluff
North Alabama Mushrooms, LLC- Eva
Oakwood Farms Market- Huntsville
Planting Roots Farm- Brilliant
Prattville Honey Farm- Prattville
Stebbins Family Farm, LLC- Athens
Yarbrough Stock Farm- Ashville
Sweet Grown Alabama is a non-profit program that connects Alabama consumers to locally grown products. Consumers can find locally grown products at SweetGrownAlabama.org, or by looking for the Sweet Grown Alabama logo at the market, grocery store or restaurant.