Reviewed by: Pat Byington
New neighborhood market and community kitchen coming to Fountain Heights
Reading time: 3 minutes
On Wednesday, July 9, the Fountain Heights Farms Cooperative (FHFC) will break ground on a new neighborhood market and community kitchen in the historic Birmingham neighborhood of Fountain Heights.
Called the Heart of the Farm Market and Community Kitchen, the new initiative will serve over 3,000 residents in the neighborhood and provide local farmers and food producers with space to store, prepare and sell their goods.
About the Fountain Heights Farm Collective
When Dominique Villanueva and Chris Gooden bought a house in the historic Northside neighborhood of Fountain Heights, they began growing produce in the backyard as a way to cut down on their grocery bill.
The tomatoes, peppers, garlic, herbs and leafy greens like lettuce and collard greens sprouting around the property soon caught the eyes of curious neighbors, and the husband-and-wife duo were happy to share their excess produce and horticultural knowledge.
Since then, Dominique and Chris have expanded their urban farm from their backyard to 11 farm sites in Fountain Heights, and plan to one day operate 119 sites in the neighborhood.
About the Heart of the Farm Market and Community Kitchen
As part of its mission to create lasting food security and jobs in the Fountain Heights community, the FHFC is developing a permanent space dedicated to food access, education and entrepreneurship: the Heart of the Farm Market and Community Kitchen.
“The Heart of the Farm Market and Community Kitchen is a meaningful and strategic investment in the vibrancy of the historic Fountain Heights neighborhood. Access to fresh, healthy food remains out of reach for far too many people in our city.”
Sherry-Lea Bloodworth Botop, Chief Resilience and Sustainability Officer, City of Birmingham’
Located at 1201 16th St N, Birmingham, the Heart of the Farm Market and Community Kitchen will serve as a hub for food entrepreneurship, with space for local farmers and food producers to store, prepare and sell their goods. The project also includes a sustainable farming expansion that will provide access to clean water across 10 farm lots, supporting long-term food production in Fountain Heights.
According to a press release, the project was made possible thanks to an investment from the City of Birmingham.
“Creating a permanent space centered on food justice and fostering economic opportunity will be a game-changer, not just for food access, but for nourishing a connected and thriving community. By thoughtfully investing in projects like the Heart of the Farm, we’re building a more sustainable and resilient future for Birmingham.”
Sherry-Lea Bloodworth Botop, Chief Resilience and Sustainability Officer, City of Birmingham’
The groundbreaking for the new neighborhood market and community kitchen will take place on Wednesday, July 9. Attendees at the groundbreaking will get a first look at the vision for the new space.
“This groundbreaking means so much to us. Not only does it represent increased access to fresh, healthy foods for our neighbors, but for a neighborhood that hasn’t seen a grocery store or market in nearly 70 years, the structure itself is a visible symbol of progress in Fountain Heights.”
Dominique Villanueva, co-founder of Fountain Heights Farms Cooperative
Excited to see a new neighborhood market and community kitchen coming to Fountain Heights? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!
