Sweet Grown Alabama Blogs

Help us welcome 2026 Sweet Grown Alabama Ambassador, Rachel Brown, a Huntsville-based dietitian who champions Alabama agriculture through nutrition, education and real-life connection to food. With a passion for helping families feel confident about what’s on their plates, Rachel highlights the value of Alabama-grown products and the farmers who make wholesome, local food possible. From sharing practical nutrition tips to spotlighting seasonal ingredients, she bridges the gap between the farm and everyday meals. Follow along as Rachel celebrates balanced living, community wellness and the powerful role Sweet Grown Alabama products play in nourishing our state. Discover more about Rachel’s journey and her love for Alabama-grown food through her own words.

1. Who is Rachel Brown? 

Hi! I'm Rachel Brown, also known as Rocket City Dietitian. I have lived in Huntsville, Alabama since 2016 after moving from Nashville, Tennessee and before college five other states as an Army Brat. I am a mother, wife and a practicing Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Educator focusing on Insulin Pump Therapy that happens to be a major foodie. I love sharing local business and what our city has to offer for food, fun and wellness, helping small businesses thrive in a world of chain restaurants.

2. How did you begin your social media/influencer journey? 

I began my social media journey shortly after having my second child. At first, I shared explorations of my new city, highlighting healthier food options, family-friendly activities and what feeding toddlers looked like both at home and when dining out. As my pages grew, local businesses began reaching out for collaborations in exchange for meals and products. This led to writing monthly articles for larger blogs, focusing on feeding and exploring North Alabama with young children, including U-pick farms, gardening and cooking with kids. I continue to write for local blogs, help support local businesses and now have a weekly TV segment I host on our local station promoting restaurants and businesses in the area. I view my social media channels as a fun way to share and document the food and fun adventures while promoting small business with some light education mixed in.

3. What is your all-time favorite meal?

My all-time favorite meal would have to be my moms salt crusted steak with horseradish cream sauce. Add a fresh vibrant salad and homemade dressing and I am hooked!

4. What drives you to promote your community and local products?

What drives me to promote my community and local products is the desire to share that what you have locally is special and unique and makes your city one of a kind. I believe this desire stemmed from my childhood as an Army Brat, constantly moving made me really appreciate what makes a place stand out from all the chains of the world that could be anywhere. I love when people that have lived in a place their entire lives thank me for sharing something that's in their own city that they never knew about. I really enjoy discovering and finding new and unique things in your own town.

5. Where are your favorite spots in Alabama?

My favorite spots in Alabama can all be found here in my own backyard of Huntsville, Alabama. I really enjoy being in our downtown area that includes Big Spring Park. Downtown Huntsville is a very walkable area with unique spots to explore that include great food and shopping too. 

6. If you had to pick one of the following to keep, which would you choose and why? Local squash, local greens or local peaches?  

I would definitely keep local peaches. There is nothing like a juicy, fresh peach and how incredible is it that we have something so perfect off a tree that is grown here in Alabama.

Keep up with Rachel Brown on Facebook and Instagram as she shares about supporting local this year!