Birmingham, AL, October 11, 2025
News Summary
Huffman Middle School has launched an in-school grocery store to support families facing food insecurity. Funded by $277,500 from the American Rescue Plan Act, the initiative is a two-year pilot aimed at improving students’ educational environment. The store, managed by Goodr and run by students from the Family and Consumer Sciences program, offers a variety of groceries including fresh produce and vegan options, enhancing community well-being and addressing hunger’s impact on learning.
Huffman Middle School Launches Grocery Store for Families
In a positive step towards supporting its community, Huffman Middle School has recently opened an in-school grocery store intended for students and their families. This grocery store began operations this week and serves as an innovative resource for families dealing with food insecurity.
The establishment of this grocery store has been made possible thanks to funding from the Birmingham City Council member Clinton Woods, who has allocated $277,500 from the American Rescue Plan Act. The program is set to be a pilot initiative running for two years, allowing the school and community to evaluate its success and potential expansion.
How Does It Work?
To shop at the grocery store, families must register through an online portal and set up an appointment as the store is exclusively for enrolled students’ families and is not open to the general public. This careful approach ensures that families who need assistance the most receive it. The grocery store is housed in a compact 300-square-foot space and will operate during the academic year, providing essential foods to support the nutritional needs of students.
The store is stocked with a variety of groceries, including fresh produce, eggs, bread, dairy, pantry staples, and even vegan options. This diverse offering is designed to cater to the differing dietary needs of the families who shop there, promoting healthy eating habits.
Community Focused Goals
According to Councilor Clinton Woods, the initiative emphasizes the vital role schools play as community hubs. The primary goal of the grocery store is to reduce external stressors impacting students’ learning. By addressing food insecurity, Huffman Middle School aims to foster a more conducive educational environment for its students, allowing them to focus more on learning rather than worrying about their next meal.
Eligible families can visit the store multiple times each month, free of charge, supporting them directly in their time of need. The grocery store will be managed by Goodr, an Atlanta-based company known for its commitment to combating food waste and hunger. Goodr will be responsible for tracking the success of this pilot program over the next two years, with the hope of expanding similar concepts to more schools in the future.
A Learning Experience
An added benefit of this grocery store initiative is the involvement of students enrolled in the Family and Consumer Sciences program at Huffman Middle School. These students will manage the store, gaining valuable experience in inventory management and customer service. This hands-on approach not only enriches their education but also empowers them to contribute positively to their community.
Huffman Principal Jeffery Willis expresses that addressing hunger in schools significantly contributes to better educational outcomes among students. Research from Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Mark Sullivan shows that in-school grocery programs can provide a $10-$14 return on investment for every dollar spent, thanks to improved graduation rates and better health outcomes in the community.
This initiative is part of a growing trend in education aimed at meeting the everyday needs of students and families alongside academic learning, reinforcing the idea that supporting a student’s basic needs can lead to greater success in their academic endeavors.
Summary
- Location: Huffman Middle School
- Store Opening: This week
- Funding: $277,500 from American Rescue Plan Act
- Duration: Pilot program for two years
- Eligibility: Families of registered students, by appointment only
- Store Size: 300 square feet
- Product Offerings: Fresh produce, dairy, eggs, bread, pantry staples, vegan options
- Management: Students in Family and Consumer Sciences program
- Partner: Goodr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the grocery store at Huffman Middle School?
The grocery store offers free groceries to students and their families, aiming to help those who face food insecurity and enhance the educational environment for students.
How can families shop at the grocery store?
Families of students must register through an online portal and make an appointment to shop; the store is not open to the general public.
What types of products will be available in the grocery store?
The store provides fresh produce, eggs, bread, dairy, pantry staples, and even vegan options.
How long will the program run?
This initiative is a pilot program that will run for two years.
Who is managing the grocery store?
The grocery store is being operated by Goodr, an Atlanta-based company that combats food waste and hunger.
Can students participate in managing the grocery store?
Yes, students participating in the Family and Consumer Sciences program will manage the store, gaining experience in inventory management and customer service.
Key Features of the In-School Grocery Store
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Huffman Middle School |
| Opening | This week |
| Funding | $277,500 from American Rescue Plan Act |
| Program Duration | Two years |
| Eligibility | Families of registered students, appointment required |
| Store Size | 300 square feet |
| Product Offerings | Fresh produce, dairy, eggs, bread, pantry staples, vegan options |
| Management | Goodr |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Winn-Dixie Stores in Birmingham to Close
New Grocery Store Opens at Huffman Middle School in Birmingham
Huffman Middle School Opens In-School Grocery Store
Huffman Middle School Launches Alabama’s First In-School Grocery Store
Additional Resources
- AL.com: Free Grocery Store Opens at Huffman Middle School
- Wikipedia: Food Insecurity
- CBS 42: Huffman Middle School Opens Free Grocery Store
- Google Search: Food Insecurity
- Birmingham Times: Huffman Middle School Opens Alabama’s First School Grocery Store
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community Development
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.
