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Sweet smells, sweet sips and sweet songs filled the air at Bennett Farms last Thursday evening, July 25, as Sweet Grown Alabama hosted its fourth annual Farm to Table Dinner. Approximately 150 attendees enjoyed dinner full of locally grown products and wine, live music from local artist Joe Johnson, captivating floral centerpieces and Alabama agritourism scenes.
Alabama farmers, Sweet Grown Alabama sponsors, local elected officials and community members dined on eight classic southern dishes highlighting Sweet Grown Alabama products from beef and chicken to zucchini and peaches. Over 550 pounds of locally grown products were prepared by Chef Dave Garfrerick of Garfrerick’s Café in Oxford.
“The entire goal of Sweet Grown Alabama is to connect Alabama consumers with locally grown products,” said Sweet Grown Alabama Director Ellie Watson. “We do that year-round through our online searchable database but coming together in person for our annual farm to table dinner is an incredible celebration of our mission. There’s no better way to promote locally grown products than by eating these items masterfully prepared by a chef who gets the farm to table mission, while talking to the farmer who grew the food. It’s just special really.”
Contributing more than $70 billion annually, agriculture is a key component in Alabama’s economy. Studies show that the average piece of produce travels 1,500 miles from field to plate. Buying local ensures consumers reduce transportation emissions and helps Alabama sustain production to provide for our people.
“Nothing beats an evening with good people and good food,” said Elizabeth Langley, a dinner attendee. “I ate food tonight I have never eaten before, but the taste of local has forever changed me.”
In addition to the main meal, attendees enjoyed local wine, water bottled in Blount County and fresh flowers grown in Heflin. A signature cocktail of watermelon margaritas made with watermelons from C Watts Farm in Munford was a crowd favorite.
“I’ve been growing watermelon and other produce all my life, and I take pride in growing a high-quality product,” said Curtis Watts, owner of C Watts Farm. “It was an honor for my products to be featured at this dinner. I hope everyone enjoyed it. I know we sure did!”
Farms represented in the dinner included:
- 4G Farms, Scottsboro (basil)
- Allman Farms & Orchards, Oneonta (tomatoes and peaches)
- Bent Creek Farm, Piedmont (zucchini)
- Bennett Farms, Heflin (venue)
- Blue Spring Living Water, Blountsville (bottled water)
- C Watts Farm, Munford (yellow squash, sweet corn and watermelon)
- Eastaboga Bee Company, Lincoln (honey)
- Futral Farms, Woodland (pecans)
- Grown by Grace Farms, Guntersville (heirloom tomatoes, eggplant and blueberries)
- Hunt & Lovvorn Cattle Co., Heflin (beef)
- Ireland Farms, Alpine (yellow onion and okra)
- McLeod Family Farm, Heflin (flowers)
- Morgan Farms, Horton (red onion and peas)
- Rock House Farms, Fruithurst (eggs)
- Stebbins Family Farm, Athens (chicken)
- Whippoorwill Vineyards, Notasulga (wine)
As a statewide non-profit, Sweet Grown Alabama rotates its annual farm to table celebration to new locations across the state each year. To stay up-to-date with future events and other local promotions, sign up for Sweet Grown Alabama’s monthly e-newsletter here.
To learn more and find locally grown products in your area, visit SweetGrownAlabama.org.
