But even though it is easy to see such produce from your car window, it can be difficult to find Alabama grown-and-raised products in your grocery store. State agricultural officials have estimated that more than 95 percent of the fresh produce in Alabama grocery stores originated from someplace other than Alabama.

Jerry Spencer says there is no reason why the fertile soil of Alabama cannot adequately feed the people of his home state. That is why he founded Grow Alabama, an organization that enables people to purchase fresh vegetables, fruit, dairy and meat products, all produced by Alabama farmers.

“People go into a grocery thinking they’re getting some Alabama produce, but actually it is rare that anything there is from Alabama,” Spencer says. “Grow Alabama started about four years ago with the intention of really turning this around.

“We are teaching the farmers in rural Alabama to produce a valuable product that will be purchased by the consumers of the population centers. That allows for a recycling of our money that keeps it in the community of Alabama.”

Not only does buying local food help the state economy, Spencer says it also provides customers with the best-tasting food. Much like the way a new car drops in value the second it leaves the lot, Spencer says food begins losing both flavor and nutritional value shortly after it is harvested. He says all of Grow Alabama’s products are made available for home delivery or pickup at the Findley Avenue headquarters within 24 to 48 hours of leaving the farm.

“When food comes from local sources, the flavor comes with it,” Spencer says. “The fresher it is, the more flavor and nutrient content it’s going to have. You just can’t get that same flavor when it’s traveled a week to get here.”

Grow Alabama offers several weekly vegetable options that change throughout the year, based upon what is fresh during the current growing season. In addition to such staples as tomatoes, lettuce and peaches, Spencer says Grow Alabama also provides specialty items that rarely are available fresh to the general public.

“We grow some Italian greens that really only restaurants have,” Spencer says. “We have heirloom tomatoes. Those are not generally available, and most of them have come a long distance and their flavor is almost gone.

“In the grocery stores you can get a snap bean or a pole bean, and that’s about it. We have Haricot Vert beans, a little French sweet green bean that is really only available to restaurants, and they have to order it from 1,000 miles away. We’ll have Rattlesnake beans and the Blue Lakes and the Kentucky Wonders. Most of the little red potatoes that people love come from Colorado or Washington. We grow our own new potatoes, so you can get them farm fresh.”

Grow Alabama also offers organic milk as well as fresh eggs and poultry. A sampling of the products is available for free each Thursday during a Share the Harvest luncheon.

Spencer acknowledges that most people are attracted to Grow Alabama’s food offerings primarily for the taste and health benefits. But he says it is equally important to him that the state supports its local farmers.

“There are a lot of old farmers in this state sitting in rocking chairs,” Spencer says. “These rural communities need economic development. Instead of buying our food from California, we can get it fresh from right here in Alabama and support our local communities. This is a mission that inspires me every morning.”

Angela has worked in some of Birmingham’s best kitchens, and has all the expertise to bring a restaurant-quality meal to your home. She used our home to do a test event, and the experience was amazing. The Coq au Vin was spectacular, and we all participated in the preparation.

Angela charges $75 a person for a dinner party. You can get more information at www.chefubham.com

You can get (while supplies last) a $100 gift certificate to Chef U for $50 at www.birminghammenus.com/gc

InstaGift is giving away one $25 group gift certificate every weekday from Tuesday, December 1 to Thursday, December 24. Each daily winner gets their choice from 4 great Birmingham area group gift certificates. Entering each daily contest is simple, just retweet the following message on twitter by copying or clicking the link below:

RT @birminghammenus RT to win a $25 gift certificate redeemable at your choice of 280+ Birmingham area merchants. http://bit.ly/660t6B

One entry per day, per person. You can find more information about the contest on BirminghamMenus’s Group Gift Certificate Page. And from everyone at @birminghammenus, we want to wish you a Happy Holidays!

4 Great Certificates, Over 280 Choices!

BirminghamMenus.com Group Gift Certificates can be redeemed at 34 of the best independently-owned restaurants in Birmingham

including Ocean, Little Savannah, Fish Market and many more.

Five Points South Group Gift Certificates can be redeemed at 34 merchants in Birmingham’s historic Five Points neighborhood

including Highlands Bar and Grill and Hot and Hot Fish Club.

Homewood Chamber of Commerce Star Gift Certificates can be redeemed at 186 merchants in Homewood. If you’re a Homewood

resident or supporter, this certificate is for you!

Birmingham Originals Group Gift Certificates can be redeemed at 29 of the best independently-owned restaurants in Birmingham including Ocean, Little Savannah, Fish Market and many more. View the full list and purchase online!

Welcome to the latest generation of BirminghamMenus. Your best source for information on locally owned restaurants is now even better.

We launched BirminghamMenus in the summer of 2001 – and seven and a half years is a long time in the Internet world. So we recently hit the refresh button to bring you the most up to date version of our popular restaurant index.

You can now easily search our site by restaurant name, location or cuisine style. Menus, photos and news of special events are now also regular features.  Our online magazine will highlight the latest happenings and headlines about area chefs and restauranteurs.  Plus we’ll do our very best to provide you with periodic musings about the locally owned dining community.  And of course, you can still purchase discount gift certificates for all our participating establishments.

Please let us know what you think about the new features and browsing capabilities.  Use our easy onsite commenting system to leave your feedback, or e-mail us at feedback@birminghammenus.com. We would really appreciate your feedback.

Thanks for supporting BirminghamMenus and the independently owned restaurant community. We look forward to continuing to serve you the most well-seasoned  information about the local dining scene.

Happy Dining!