There’s never been a better time to fill your grocery cart with Alabama-grown produce and support your local farmers, who work hard every day to grow fresh, high-quality food for families across the state.

On Saturday, July 25, Sweet Grown Alabama Day returns for its annual celebration of the farmers, fishermen, foresters, and producers who help feed communities across the state. The statewide initiative encourages Alabamians to make at least one local purchase in support of the people growing, raising, and producing Alabama products.

Participating is simple. Visit a local farm or farmers market, enjoy a meal made with Alabama-grown ingredients, purchase fresh seafood caught in Alabama waters, or pick up locally grown flowers, honey, meat, pecans, or seasonal produce. Even one purchase helps support family farms, strengthen local communities, and keep more dollars circulating in Alabama’s economy.

Many farmers markets across the state will mark the occasion with special activities, including free tomato sandwiches, watermelon slices, cooking demonstrations, family-friendly events, and opportunities to meet the growers behind your food. Markets in Birmingham, Foley, Albertville, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, Northport, Killen, and several other communities are planning celebrations throughout the weekend.

Even if your local market isn’t hosting a special event, Sweet Grown Alabama encourages everyone to celebrate in their own way. Visit your favorite farm stand, shop local, snap a few photos, and share them on social media by tagging @SweetGrownAlabama so the organization can celebrate alongside you. Some participants may even receive Sweet Grown Alabama goodies for sharing their support online.

Not sure where to start? Sweet Grown Alabama’s online directory makes it easy to search for nearby farms, farmers markets, fisheries, and local producers by ZIP code, helping connect consumers with fresh Alabama-grown products close to home.

Whether it’s a basket of peaches, a loaf of locally baked bread, a bouquet of sunflowers, or the ingredients for the season’s first tomato sandwich, every local purchase is a chance to celebrate the people who make Alabama agriculture thrive.