by 
Share On Social!
Birmingham, Alabama is working to overcome food deserts and foster community.
The volunteer-led Southwest Fresh Market is part of an ambitious plan initiated by REV Birmingham, a nonprofit working with local government, business, and community partners to find solutions to a common challenge: how to connect urban, often low-income residents with small farmers looking to boost sales. REV Birmingham is working to create “public markets” around the city, partnering with neighborhood groups to engage local residents in planning all aspects of the markets, from operations to outreach to product mix.
After two seasons the Southwest Fresh Market has developed a steady base of customers and recently started accepting SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) to expand its reach to the lowest-income residents. But there is still work to be done.
UPDATE: In September 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded a $100,000 grant to REV Birmingham’s Urban Food Project to support the region’s organic food industry.
The grant will be used to fund equipment and expand delivery staff for REV’s Farm to Corner Store initiative, which improves food access in underserved communities.
By The Numbers
1
Supermarket
for every Latino neighborhood, compared to 3 for every non-Latino neighborhood
