Special to the Times
Jones Valley Teaching Farm (JVTF) is hosting a special fundraising event to support its Good Community Food programs. The event, titled Gather, will take place on Saturday, May 30 at Jones Valley Teaching Farm’s Center for Food Education in downtown Birmingham. Gather will feature food from local chefs, locally donated beer and wine, family-friendly activities and games, line dancing instruction from Desi Keith, a silent auction, and tomato plant sale.
Created by JVTF’s Community Advisory Board in 2025, Gather aims to increase community awareness and involvement in JVTF’s Good Community Food programs while providing funding for the program’s annual operating costs.
Good Community Food (GCF) strengthens Alabama’s food system by expanding food access, providing agricultural skills-based training, and sharing resources with urban growers and community gardens. Programs include the GCF Fellowship, free and reduced-cost workshops, $5 cooking classes, annual community garden grants, free seedling distribution, and free produce via two farm stands.
“What began as an extension of a gardening hobby has grown into a meaningful commitment to supporting programs that nourish families and communities.” says Elizabeth Reid, former Fellow and current Community Advisory Board member, “It is an impact we now see at home, where my 13-year-old is a self-proclaimed foodie, experimenting with recipes from locally grown produce, fermenting foods, and learning what it means to be part of a passionate community working to ensure good food is accessible to all.”
Sponsors for this year’s event include SteelCrest Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley, Compost Only, Rotaract Club of Birmingham, Grassroots Wine, and Cahaba Brewing Company.
Tickets are $75 for adults and $15 for youth ages 5 to 15. Children 4 and under get in free.
For tickets and more information visit bit.ly/GATHER-2026.
