For the first time in roughly 70 years, Fountain Heights in Birmingham, Ala., will have a grocery market right in the neighborhood. The We All Eat Market opened its doors on Saturday, Nov. 7, providing residents with fresh, locally sourced food and a gathering place for families.
Community roots drive the project
“This is a market that is birthed in the neighborhood,” said Darlene Battle, vice president of the Fountain Heights Neighborhood Association, who has lived in the area her entire life. “We deserve the best, and we’re not going to wait for anyone else to give it to us. We’re going to build it ourselves.”
Co‑owners Dominique Villanueva and Chris Gooden, longtime Fountain Heights residents, say the idea grew from personal need and conversations with neighbors. After the COVID‑19 pandemic cut a bus line that many relied on to reach the nearest grocery store, the couple began farming on a vacant lot in 2017. By 2021 they started planning and fundraising for a permanent market.
What the market offers
We All Eat will feature produce grown on neighborhood lots and by cooperative farmers, as well as other locally grown or organic items. Shoppers can also purchase bulk herbs and spices. A demonstration kitchen on site will host cooking classes, helping customers learn how to prepare unfamiliar ingredients.
For many residents, the market means a dramatic reduction in travel time. “The grocery store I used to go to was at least a 10‑minute drive away, sometimes 15 or 20 minutes,” Battle explained. “This is actually a convenient market with healthy options.”
Funding and community support
The $1 million project was financed through a mix of grassroots donations and public funds. The first $30,000 came from small contributions by neighbors who stopped by to learn about the effort. An additional $150,000 was provided by the city of Birmingham, reflecting municipal support for food access initiatives.
At the grand opening, the owners planned a family‑friendly celebration with shopping, children’s activities, herbal‑tea blending and door prizes, underscoring the market’s role as a community hub.
Looking ahead
Villanueva and Gooden hope the market will not only improve nutrition but also strengthen neighborhood ties. “We started by reaching out to neighbors and being neighborly,” Battle recalled. “We want that spirit to continue as the market grows.”
With the We All Eat Market now operating, Fountain Heights joins a growing list of Alabama neighborhoods taking food access into their own hands, demonstrating how local initiative and faith in community can overcome decades of neglect.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
