Buy Alabama’s Best campaign kick-off event

By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter

Tuesday, February 28, 2017. Grocers launched the Alabama’s Best kickoff campaign to promote Alabama food products at the State Capital.

Governor Robert Bentley said, “We are here today to honor some of the many companies from around the State that produce the food we eat.” The Governor also praised the companies for the work that they are doing raising money to treat pediatric cancer.

In his State of the State Address, Bentley announced his desire to take four percent off of the price of food by no longer charging a State sales tax and said that this would tremendously lessen the burden on Alabama families.

Alabama Comissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan (R) thanked the food makers for bringing all the delicious food. Secretary McMillan said, “This is an area where we have got great potential to grow. We need more producers growing the products that can be processed in Alabama. This is one large component of Alabama’s Agricultural Economy which is $74 billion a year.”

Secretary of State John Merrill (R) said, “I am delighted to be here to promote Alabama and Alabama products which are often overlooked.” Secretary Merrill said, “We need to make sure that we are committed to supporting those companies that support our communities. These are opportunities for growth and development that are unique to Alabama.” Merrill emphasized that, “It is very important to support our Alabama organizations. More of our citizens need more education about the things that we are able to provide. We need to do everything we can to keep Alabama strong and buy Alabama’s Best.”

State Auditor Jim Zeigler said, “Buy Alabama’s Best is one program that we can all agree on 100 percent. You are what makes this State grow and our economy successful. Thank you for coming to the State capital.”

Some of the Alabama companies that participated in this year’s kickoff event include:

Dreamland Barbecue
Started in Tuscaloosa and is presently based in Birmingham. The company is best known for its popular restaurants, but it also markets a full-line of barbecue sauces sold in grocery stores throughout Alabama and beyond.

Buffalo Rock
Which is the Birmingham based Pepsi~Cola bottler.

Conecuh Sausage
Makes its sausage products in Evergreen.

Zeigler Foods
Selma-based. Makes sausages, hot dogs, bologna, bacon, and other meat products.

Barbers Dairy Products/ Mayfield Ice Cream
Produced at a plant in Homewood.

Golden Flake
Birmingham based. Makes a full-line of chips and snack foods.

Red Diamond
Makes Tea and other products at its headquarters in Moody.

Whitfield Foods
Since 1906. Makes nine different flavors of ALAGA brand syrup from its Montgomery based plant.

Blue Bell Ice Cream
Makes most of its products in a plant in Sylacauga.

Bud’s Best Cookies
Based in Hoover.

Back Forty Beer
Birmingham based brewery.

Crazy Wanda’s Breading
Produced in Pelham.

Flower’s Bakery
Birmingham.

Coca Cola Bottler’s United
Based in Birmingham with a South Coca Cola Bottler’s United office in Montgomery.

Dirt Road Gourmet
Makes a line of gourmet casserole dishes from its facility in Eclectic.

Silver Peak Candies
Made in Ozark Alabama.