One of the most common types of questions we get is along the lines of: “Where can I find {farm product} near where I live in {town} ?” It’s exciting to hear these questions, because it means that customers are wanting local food!
Between 2010 and 2013, ASAN produced several metro-area Local Food & Farm Guides, to help answer these questions for folks. We did a thorough survey of direct-market farmers, the products they raise and sell, and the places those products are available for purchase. We sent out online surveys, and made countless phone calls. All that work produced three guides, which are available here for download in PDF format (click title to open PDF):
- ASAN Gulf Coast Food & Farm Guide (2012)
- ASAN Birmingham Food & Farm Guide (2013)
- ASAN Huntsville Food & Farm Guide (2013)
Disclaimer: the first thing we learned about the information we collected in these guides, is that it changes almost constantly! We hope to update these resources in the not-too-distant future, and expand upon them to include more parts of the state. In the meantime, proceed knowing that some of the information contained in them might be out of date.
These guides include direct-market farms, meaning farms that raise products for sale direct to the public, whether directly from the farm or via a market or local store or restaurant. We do not include farms that grow exclusively for wholesale production. The guides are not limited according to growing practices, though we do indicate which farms hold certifications like USDA Certified Organic, Certified Naturally Grown (CNG), and Animal Welfare Approved (AWA), in addition to those that use sustainable/organic practices but are not certified.
In addition to the three guides above, ASAN provided consulting and support to the Cullman County Agriplex to produce a Cullman County Food & Farm Guide in 2015. Download it here!
Other valuable resources for connecting with local food include:
- Local Harvest – online map and directory of farms, markets, CSA programs, U-pick operations, etc
- PickYourOwn.org – U-pick operations
- Alabama Farmers Market Authority – list of farmers markets by county
How do you find out about farmers, markets, and other local food sources in your area? Share your resources in the comments!