Tomato Sandwich Lunch Highlights State’s Peak Growing Season and Local Farmers
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) — The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries welcomed guests for its annual Tomato Sandwich Lunch, a summertime tradition highlighting Alabama-grown produce and the farmers who help feed communities statewide.
On Wednesday, more than 500 farmers, lawmakers, and food lovers from across the state came together to celebrate Alabama’s peak growing season for the 23rd year.
Held at the department’s headquarters in Montgomery, the menu included fresh Alabama-grown tomatoes, sweet corn, and lettuce — alongside popular Alabama products including Golden Flake chips, Blue Bell ice cream, Flowers Bakery bread, Milo’s tea and Buffalo Rock soft drinks.
“To be a part of Sweet Grown Alabama it’s got to be grown in Alabama, so it’s a celebration and part of the whole MAHA movement about eating healthier and eating local without eating highly processed foods,” Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate said. “What you get here is really good food and southern food.”
The event also served as a platform to promote Sweet Grown Alabama, the state’s branding program that encourages consumers to purchase products grown, raised and harvested by Alabama farmers and fishermen.
As part of the event, the Sweet Grown Alabama team hosted a pop-up farmers market outside the lunch venue, providing members of the program an opportunity to sell their products directly to attendees. Visitors browsed a selection of locally produced goods, including fresh produce, beef, pork, honey, jams and jellies, pecans and other farm products.
Ally Andrews is the owner of Wildly Blessed and a farmer in Eclectic. “I have a petting zoo and we go all over the state with Wildly Blessed, and that’s also a part of Sweet Grown Alabama because I’m one of the only people that has a rolling petting zoo,” said Andrews. “We also have open farm day at our farm in Eclectic, so y’all follow us! We are Wildly Blessed, and we love being able to share our blessings.”
People who are interested in purchasing locally grown products can find them at sweetgrownalabama.org
You can also see pictures from this year’s Tomato Sandwich Lunch here.
