New Grocery Store Opens at Huffman Middle School

Birmingham, Alabama, October 13, 2025

News Summary

A new in-school grocery store has opened at Huffman Middle School to fight food insecurity among students and their families. This initiative, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, provides free groceries, including fresh produce and pantry staples, to registered families. The program aims to support academic success by addressing hunger, particularly in a community where poverty rates are high. Managed by the nonprofit Goodr, the grocery store is part of a two-year pilot program focused on assessment and community impact.

Birmingham, Alabama – A new in-school grocery store opened at Huffman Middle School on October 8, as part of an initiative to combat food insecurity among students and their families. This grocery store, which covers approximately 300 square feet, will provide free groceries, including fresh produce, eggs, bread, and pantry staples, exclusively to enrolled students and their families throughout the academic year. Families must register through an online portal and make an appointment to shop, as the store is not open to the general public.

The grocery store was funded with $277,500 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) by Birmingham City Council member Clinton Woods. This initiative forms part of a two-year pilot program designed to address food insecurity as a significant barrier to academic success. The principal of Huffman Middle School, Dr. Jeffrey Williams Sr., highlighted the importance of this initiative, suggesting that efforts to combat hunger directly affect school performance.

Families enrolled in the program will have the opportunity to shop several times a month, filling reusable bags with groceries at no cost. In the Huffman area, the poverty rate stands at around 75%, with 85% to 95% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. These statistics emphasize the necessity of such a program in the community, supporting the notion that access to food can significantly affect students’ educational experiences.

Goodr, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization, has partnered with the city to operate the grocery store and brings a wealth of experience in running school-based grocery initiatives aimed at alleviating food insecurity. The overarching goal is to create school environments that serve as community hubs, fostering knowledge, mentorship, personal growth, and friendships among students and families.

The program will monitor its impact over the two-year period, focusing on data related to student attendance, academic performance, and family wellness. Research indicates that for every dollar invested in programs targeting food insecurity, the return is estimated to be between $10 to $14. This is attributed to improved educational outcomes and reduced costs in related areas like criminal justice and health care.

To effectively track the program’s success and its potential for future expansion, Goodr’s technology will be utilized to gather information on food access, household size, and visit frequency. This data will be crucial in evaluating the grocery store’s impact on the community and guiding subsequent efforts in addressing food insecurity within schools.

Key Details of the Grocery Store Initiative

• Open Since: October 8
• Location: Huffman Middle School, Birmingham, Alabama
• Size: Approximately 300 square feet
• Cost: Free groceries for enrolled students and families
• Funding: $277,500 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
• Pilot Program Duration: 2 years
• Target Community Poverty Rate: Approximately 75%
• Students Qualifying for Free/Reduced Lunch: 85% to 95%
• Operating Partner: Goodr, a nonprofit based in Atlanta

Conclusion

The new grocery store at Huffman Middle School is a crucial step towards mitigating food insecurity and its detrimental effects on academic achievement. By providing essential food items free of charge to families, the program stands to make a tangible difference in the community.

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HERE Resources

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Additional Resources

• Birmingham Times
• AL.com
• WBRC
• ABC 3340
• CBS 42
• Wikipedia: Food Insecurity
• Google Search: Food Insecurity Initiatives
• Google Scholar: Impact of Food Insecurity on Education
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Security
• Google News: Food Insecurity News

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.