MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Several Alabama-based businesses gathered today on the lawn of the Capitol for Buy Alabama’s Best Day, a program highlighting Alabama food products.
Vendors offered samples of their products, ranging from Conecuh sausage and Milo’s sweet tea to Golden Flake potato chips and Wickles pickles, all for free to the public on the Capitol lawn.
Ellie Taylor, president and CEO of the Alabama Grocers Association and executive director of the Alabama Food Manufacturers and Producers Association, said the annual event aims to increase awareness and promote sales of Alabama-made food products.
“The grocery industry and supporting local products are vitally important to our economy,” Taylor said in a press conference to begin the event. “Alabama’s food product sales have a $2 billion economic impact on Alabama’s economy tax base, and along with the grocery and food service industries employ one out of every four Alabamians. The overall grocery industry has an $18 billion impact on our state.”
Vendors included not only small businesses based in Alabama but also large corporations with major manufacturing presences in the state like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Blue Bell Creameries.
Gov. Kay Ivey and Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate also spoke at the event and both urged Alabamians to consider buying Alabama-made products every time they shop.
“When Alabamians choose Alabama-made (products), we’re not just making a purchase, we’re supporting a neighbor and keeping our dollars working right here at home,” Ivey said. “That’s just good economics. That’s just plain old good common sense.”
Beyond food businesses, the Buy Alabama’s Best program supports Children’s of Alabama, a pediatric hospital in Birmingham. The program has donated over $900,000 since its inception in 2006, said Wade Payne, chairman of the Alabama Grocers Association.
Grace Graffeo from Children’s said the program helps provide care to more than 2,000 children annually.
“The more than $903,000 raised through this campaign over the past 20 years represents far more than a number,” Graffeo said. “It represents real hope for children facing cancer and serious blood disorders.”