The Alabama Grocers Association, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and the Alabama Food Manufacturers and Producers Association recently kicked off their 2014 Buy Alabama’s Best Campaign. In attendance at the kickoff, in addition to members of the Alabama legislature, were Dianne Bentley, first lady of Alabama, Daniel Autry, chief of staff and chief legal advisor to Agriculture Commissioner John McMillan and industry leaders. They all enjoyed Alabama-made food and beverage products.
The Buy Alabama’s Best campaign—which runs annually during the months of March and September—is designed to inform and educate consumers on what products are made, produced, manufactured and/or headquartered in the state of Alabama.
“During these tough economic times it is vitally important to support our local economy,” said Ellie Taylor, president of the Alabama Grocers Association. “Alabama food product sales have a $2 billion impact on Alabama’s economy, tax base and, along with the grocery and foodservice industries, employ one out of every four Alabamians.”
A portion of the sale of participating Alabama products during the months of March and September will go to Children’s of Alabama to help find a cure for childhood cancer.
A check recently was presented to Dr. Raymond G. Watts, director of the UAB Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, in the amount of $88,295, which was the total raised through the Buy Alabama’s Best Campaign last year. Since 2006, the Buy Alabama’s Best Campaign has raised $523,445, reaching the half-million dollar mark, to fight pediatric cancer.
“Children’s of Alabama is working to cure every child who has cancer,” said Watts. “This generous donation from local Alabama businesses will help us meet our mission.”
Retailers all over the state will be supporting this campaign in their stores with Alabama product displays, ads, signage, special promotions and will sell Children’s of Alabama icons to support the fight to find a cure for pediatric cancer.
When consumers shop in their local grocery store, they can look for the Buy Alabama’s Best logo under products to ensure they are buying Alabama-made products.
In the feature photo at top: Cooper Stephenson and Curtis Lyons, Flowers Baking Co.; Steve Mulford, Royal Foods; and Harold Garrett, Gateway Foods. (Find more photos from the Buy Alabama’s Best kick-off event here.)
