BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) — The city of Birmingham announced Tuesday that residents of Fountain Heights and surrounding areas will soon have an upgraded urban farm.
The city says it will also include a neighborhood market and community kitchen, following a unanimous vote.
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According to a $150,000 agreement with Fountain Heights Cooperative LLC, the city said the organization would “install critical infrastructure, including access to municipal water to 10 farms, and provide access to fresh, affordable food.” Build neighborhood markets and community kitchens to increase access.” For the residents of Birmingham by developing a multifaceted space that functions as a neighborhood market co-op, providing affordable, high-quality food to more than 3,000 residents in the Fountain Heights area. It will also create economic opportunities for small businesses by providing 60 food-based microbusinesses with access to affordable commercial kitchens in their first year of operation. ”
M. Dominic Villanueva, co-founder of Fountain Heights Cooperative, said he will provide an additional 25,000 pounds of nutritional value in the first year to more than 3,000 residents of the USDA food desert in Fountain Heights. The goal is to provide high quality local food. surrounding neighborhood. They also aim to create nine high-quality jobs that pay at least $20 an hour.
The city says the organization has already prepared 70,000 seedlings to be planted and harvested in the coming months.
“This organization takes great pride in our community, and through hard work, sweat, and dedication to providing clean, healthy food to our residents, we are able to make real use of this land. They helped us do that,” said Councilwoman LaTonya Tate. “I’m excited to see what this expansion means for people facing food insecurity in our district. All of these things intersect when we talk about improving quality of life. I have to publicly thank Dominique and her group for everything they’ve done, starting with access to healthy food.”
