Video: Alabama’s homegrown businesses keep jobs in the state

The choices you make at the grocery store could make a huge difference to Alabama’s economy.

More than 100 food brands on store shelves are manufactured and distributed in the state.

Alabama’s agriculture and food service industry employs more than 150,000 people in and has a 2-million dollar impact on the state.

Products like Golden Flake, Milo’s, Sister Schubert’s, Barber’s. Moore’s, Wickles Pickles… buying products like thse helps protect jobs in Alabama, which is key to the state’s economy.
Johnny Collins, Sales Manager with Barber’s Dairy said we should pay attention to what has happened in other states,  “I think you can look at Detroit Michigan right now and get an idea when folks start buying products.”

Collins is also president of a program called “Buy Alabama’s Best,“ a campaign started about five years ago to promote food products manufactured and distributed in Alabama.

He said, “Actually, it’s kind of funny, it started with the department of tourism. They were trying to promote Alabama restaurants and getting folks to travel and stop and eat in Alabama.”

Barber’s is one of the largest manufacturers in the group, and is doing well in spite of the recession because milk is a staple item.

Although Collins says some customers may be buying a half gallon instead of a gallon these days.

Almost 40 companies are members of “Buy Alabama’s Best” with items promoted as home made.

Some of the companies are competitors, like Barber’s Dairy in Homewood and Dairy Fresh in South Alabama.  But all of them are united in making sure people know what’s coming from Alabama and how important is is for people to buy those products to protect local jobs

Big Sky Bread Company sells to all the supermarkets in Alabama and throughout the southeast.
 
Fifteen years ago, Jeff Pierce opened the company.  It is a member of the “Buy Alabama’s Best” campaign.  The company’s name reflects the state of Montana, or big sky country, where Pierce gets his grains.

The final products, however, are created in Alabama.  He said, “I think a lot of people don’t realize all the products made here, so it’s exciting to see a program like this, to see shelftags in the store and people, a lot of times, sit back and say, wow, this is made here, and want to support it.“

There’s another reason to buy Alabama-made products, like Bama jelly.  Part of the money you spend on these products goes to help children with cancer. All of the companies in Alabama’s Best agreed to give part of the proceeds to pediatric cancer research.

It started with a little girl named Janie Ellen Sims.  She was diagnose with cancer when she was four years old.  She passed away just before her sixth birthday.

Her father, Dan Sims, created the Janie Sims Children’s Foundation in her honor.  It raises money which stays in Alabama for pediatric cancer research at Children’s Hospital.

The companies making up Alabama’st Best have donated more than $120,000 to the foundation.

Dan Sims said, “It’s an easy and painless way to do all of those things helping kids with cancer, helping the Alabama economy and helping yourself because you are getting a great product.”

Johnny Collins agrees. “You are supporting plants, a lot of jobs, supporting delivery people supporting people living right here in Alabama, living in Alabama.  Your neighbors, people you played ball with.  Those are the people you are supporting.“

The list of “Alabama’s Best” products continues to grow as the group continues to recruit more Alabama companies to join.

Keep an eye out for the “Buy Alabama’s Best“ logo on store shelves the next time you are shopping.

Take a look at the list of “Buy Alabama’s Best” products
The Alabama Grocers Association’s website has
ways for you to save money at the grocery store

Janie Sims Children’s Foundation receives part of the
proceeds for every “Buy Alabama’s Best” product you purchase at the store