OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.

We believe in the strength and well-being of our community members, and want to ensure that everyone, no matter their background, has an opportunity to prosper beyond the challenges faced within the Alabama Black Belt.

At Black Belt Food Project, we see food as the driving force for positive growth for our community, both individually and as a whole. Food can provide nourishment, spark change, and create a connection. There are so many levels of food education, and our organization seeks to offer opportunities dedicated to the exploration of food studies all while working with local organizations to build a more viable community structure.

ABOUT OUR REGION

Over the last half century, the Alabama Black Belt has become one of the most economically distressed places in the U.S., with 9 of its counties ranking as the poorest in the state of Alabama. 

Alabama’s Black Belt counties consistently rank poorly across major indices of wellbeing like median household income, number of households below the poverty line, number of adults not working, and highest levels of education. In Hale County, where the Black Belt Food Project is headquartered, population has fallen consistently for the past two decades. The Economic Innovation Group’s Distressed Communities Index reports Hale County’s poverty rate at 26% with 34% of adults not working.

But rather than focus on the constant negative perception placed upon this region, we’re focusing all all the good, positive movements taking place and the bright future in store for our vibrant communities. We see the beauty in this region and believe in the growth and development that can and will take place in an area that is rich with culture, history and communal tradition.

Thanks to a growing number of individuals and organizations, the Alabama Black Belt is on the rise, and we are very fortunate to be a small part of the progress.