This Tuesday, Dec. 1, the Market at Pepper Place will be abuzz with activity in celebration of the release of Know Thy Farmer, the visually stunning tribute to the farmers who help make Pepper Place a nationally recognized urban farmer’s market.
“From April to December, 10,000 visitors come once a week to The Market at Pepper Place to find the freshest Alabama-grown vegetables, fruits, cheeses and meats available,” reads the event’s press release. “Alabama farmers do the hard work to produce it and bring it there. Know Thy Farmer is a tribute to this hard work and the contribution these individuals make to our lives.”
Photographer D. Paul Jones III and writer Tanner Latham have curated over 200 pages in their hardback tome spotlighting 30 Alabama farmers, their farms and crops and the Birmingham chefs who have crafted their culinary careers around promoting knowing their farmers. The book opens with an introduction by Frank Stitt.
During the launch party there will be a book signing, musical performances by Jason Bailey on mandolin and vocals, Kellie Johnson on guitar and vocals with Skip Ward on bass. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages provided by Bettola, Stone Hollow Farmstead, Back Forty Beer Co., Cathead Vodka, Revelator Coffee Company and Clyde Mays Whiskey will be served.
“Thanks to the farmers, local restaurants thrive and gain national attention for the dishes they prepare with Alabama grown products,” said the release. “Thanks to the farmers, local grocery stores and even big box stores now sell ‘local,’ ‘Alabama-grown,’ and ‘native’ food products. Thanks to the farmers, the people of Birmingham and Central Alabama can offer fresh food to their families, and know where that food was grown.”
Pepper Place is located at 2825 Second Avenue S. The launch party will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Know Thy Farmer is $50. Sales benefit The Friends of Pepper Place Market. Books will also be for sale at the event and at local Books-A-Million bookstores. The event is free and open to the public.