Tuscaloosa Restaurants Serving Local-Farm Specials for Nonprofit

More than a dozen Tuscaloosa restaurants and cafes will serve dishes and drinks made with local produce next week to raise money for the Schoolyard Roots nonprofit, as its A Moveable Feast event returns for its sixth year.

Schoolyard Roots runs hands-on garden education for more than 4,300 students at 12 elementary schools in the Tuscaloosa city and county school systems.

The weeklong fundraiser runs Monday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 4. Diners at participating spots can order a "Schoolyard Roots Special," which will be a one-of-a-kind item built around ingredients from area farms. You get to try great eats sourced right here in West Alabama, and part of the proceeds support the nonprofit.

Get our free mobile app

The week opens with a free kickoff party at The Sanctuary on 25th from 6 to 8 p.m. next Monday, September 28th. It will have live music, a silent auction, a cocktail made with herbs from Schoolyard Roots gardens, and the group's Plant Spin game.

An online silent auction with items from local farmers, artists, and artisans opens at 9 a.m. Sept. 28 and closes at 5 p.m. Oct. 4.

The specials are available during regular business hours all week at:

Chuck's Fish
Five & Five Java
Central Mesa
River
Sugo
Southern Ale House
SAH Dockside
Jalapenos Downtown
The Alcove
Roll Call & Forté
Druid City Brewing Company
Monarch Espresso
Ben's Bread
Manna Deli
The Sanctuary on 25th

Produce for this year's dishes comes from Snow's Bend Farm, Leavelle Farms, Belle Meadow Farm, Fat Squirrel Peppers, Underground Forest, Hale Farms, the Tuscaloosa County School System's K-12 AgFarm and Schoolyard Roots' own gardens.

Sponsors include Sanico, University Medical Center, The Westervelt Company and Alberta Veterinary Clinic, along with more than 30 other local businesses.

Full event details and the auction are at fundraiser.bid/schoolyardroots.

For more exclusive coverage of community news in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.