Alabama Profile

Farm to School programs come in many shapes and sizes unique to the communities that build them. After exploring the resources and existing programs on the left, contact your state Farm to School lead for additional information and assistance specific to Alabama:
Melanie Payne
334-257-4265
bulgercreekfarm@charter.net

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries has partnered with the Department of Defense's Farm to School program to offer healthy, locally grown food for students. In its first year of operation, DoD purchased 577,520 pounds of sweet potatoes, watermelons, and satsuma mandarins from local growers for use in schools.

One example of success is the Opelika, Alabama, School District's farm-to-school program. About ten years ago, the district decided to turn its fryers off and provide healthier meals. They began purchasing produce from the New North Florida Cooperative. The Co-op was formed in 1995 by a group of innovative African-American farmers with the goals of providing marketing services to the participating farmers, collectively selling produce to markets such as local school districts, and ultimately increasing the amount of product being sold, thereby increasing the farmers' income. The Co-op provides processed sweet potatoes and butter beans in season, as well as pre-chopped collard greens and other produce. School lunch participation rates are 90%. Kindergartners and fifth graders are also provided a strong nutrition education curriculum.