Homegrown Alabama and Deacon's Deli

Through the efforts of Homegrown Alabama and Canterbury parishioners, visitors of Deacon's Deli are now able to receive locally grown produce. Money raised by parking cars on the lawn during football games has been put towards funding a voucher program for the Farmers Market. Each visitor of Deacon's Deli receives $12-$20 worth of vouchers. The vouchers are only redeemable at the Homegrown Alabama Farmers Market held on the lawn every Thursday.

Vendors of the Farmers Market have also started donating unsold produce at the end of the market. Snow's Bend Farm and B&S Farms have made major produce donations while Evergreen Farms has donated pepper and tomato seedlings also to be distributed at Deacon's Deli.

Volunteers have been on hand to collect the donations on Thursday afternoons, distribute the donated produce and young plants on Tuesday mornings to visitors of the Deacon's Deli, and to help preserve any leftover produce (pictured above). The preserved produce will be used during the Fall Harvest Party. Students, parishioners, farmers, and all other community members are invited to celebrate the efforts of Canterbury Episcopal, Homegrown Alabama, and the CCG in answering the call for increased access to fresh produce, particularly in food ministries. Date and time TBA.

There is growing interest in expanding this program to neighboring churches and food pantries. Discussions pertaining to fundraising and volunteer schedules will be scheduled in the coming weeks. If you're interested in volunteering time and/or resources to this effort, send an email to canterburychapel@gmail.com or get in touch with Erica Smith (contact information to the right).