Birmingham, Alabama, October 16, 2025
News Summary
Huffman Middle School in Birmingham, Alabama has opened the state’s first in-school grocery store, aimed at alleviating food insecurity faced by students and their families. Funded by $277,500 from the American Rescue Plan Act, this grocery store provides families of enrolled students access to free groceries, including fresh produce and essential items. The initiative creates a community hub and a hands-on learning experience for students, linking food access to academic success. Monitoring of the program will assess its impact on student attendance and family wellness.
Birmingham, Alabama Takes a Big Step Against Food Insecurity
In a groundbreaking initiative, Huffman Middle School in Birmingham, Alabama has opened the state’s first in-school grocery store. This unique venture aims to tackle the pressing issue of food insecurity that affects not just students, but their families as well.
The grocery store is funded through a generous allocation of $277,500 from the American Rescue Plan Act. This funding will support the store for two years as part of a pilot program to see how effective it can be in helping those in need.
A Free Grocery Experience for Families
Families with enrolled students will have the opportunity to shop for free groceries. The selection includes fresh produce, eggs, bread, and other essential items. To ensure organization and accessibility, families must register through an online portal and make appointments to shop. The store operates on a limited capacity, as it is not open to the general public.
Creating Community Hubs
Spanning 300 square feet, the grocery store will operate throughout the school year. This initiative strives to transform schools into community hubs that provide essential support beyond just academics. With the help of Goodr, an Atlanta-based company focused on addressing food waste and hunger, Huffman Middle School aims to make a substantial impact in the local community.
Goodr will keep an eye on how well this pilot program works and evaluate the possibility of expanding it to more schools in the future. The store will also serve as a hands-on learning lab for students enrolled in Huffman’s Family and Consumer Sciences program, providing them with valuable experience in inventory management and customer service.
Linking Food Access to Academic Success
Access to nutritious food is crucial for academic performance. Studies indicate that when students have reliable access to healthy food options, it not only enhances their focus and engagement in the classroom but also lessens outside stressors that hinder their learning. In the community surrounding Huffman Middle School, around 75% of residents live in poverty, and an estimated 85% to 95% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
As part of the program, each student will receive a reusable grocery bag, and the store will regularly rotate six types of fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school year. Families who use Goodr locations typically save between $900 and $1,200 annually on groceries, making a significant difference in their budgets.
Evaluating the Program
After the two-year program concludes, there will be an evaluation to assess the grocery store’s impact on student attendance, academic performance, and overall family wellness. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to remove barriers to learning by ensuring that students have access to nutritious food so that they can concentrate on their education more effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the in-school grocery store at Huffman Middle School?
The grocery store aims to combat food insecurity among students and their families.
How is the grocery store funded?
The grocery store is funded by $277,500 allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Who can shop at the grocery store?
Families of enrolled students can shop for free groceries including fresh produce, eggs, bread, and other staples.
How are shopping appointments made?
Registration for shopping is done through an online portal, and appointments are required; the store is not open to the general public.
What kind of items will be available at the grocery store?
Items will include fresh produce, eggs, bread, and other staples.
How will the success of the grocery store be monitored?
Goodr will monitor the pilot program’s success to consider expansion to more schools if effective.
What are some benefits of having access to healthy food?
Access to healthy food is linked to improved academic performance and reduced outside stressors that hinder learning.
Key Features of Huffman Middle School’s Grocery Store
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Huffman Middle School, Birmingham, Alabama |
| Store Size | 300 square feet |
| Funding | $277,500 from the American Rescue Plan Act |
| Eligibility | Families of enrolled students |
| Operational Period | During the school year |
| Item Types | Fresh produce, eggs, bread, and other staples |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- WBRC: Huffman Middle School Gains In-School Grocery Store for Students and Families
- Al.com: Free Grocery Store Opens at Huffman Middle School for Students and Families
- Birmingham Times: Birmingham’s Huffman Middle School Opens Alabama’s First In-School Grocery Store
- ABC3340: Birmingham Opens In-School Grocery Store at Huffman Middle to Fight Food Insecurity
- Wikipedia: Food Insecurity
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
