Incorporated in 1993 with an advisory board, many from the subcommittee on health of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, MCH is one of over 130 similar programs operating at the local level across the nation.

1994       Began operations as all volunteer pilot project

                Food was transported in private vehicles utilizing USDA approved coolers/blue ice.

1995       A new  refrigerated van was purchased through grants from the UPS Fdn           

                And Share Our Strength. Volunteers were used to distribute donated food.

1996      Full time Executive Director hired

               Program relocated to current location

               Walk-in cooler donated and installed in facility

               Part time paid driver hired

               Initiated the WORLD HUNGER DAY event – providing a hot meal to 3,000 needy folks 

               155,000 lbs of food donated and distributed

1997      A full time driver position was added to staff

               A new GMC 12ft refrigerated box truck was acquired in December

               through a Community Foundation challenge grant and private matching funds. 

               200,000 lbs of food donated and distributed

1999      Implemented  the Fresh Produce: From Market to Table project with a Kraft Foods grant      

2001      Half time program assistant hired

2004      Co-convened the first statewide ALABAMA HUNGER SUMMIT

               Initiated the EMPTY BOWLS PROJECT

2005      Co-established the Food Security Coalition of Jefferson County

               now known as the Greater Birmingham Community Food Partners

               750,000 lbs of food distributed

               ** Total MCH program budget equates to 20 cents per lb distributed

2007      830,000 lbs of food distributed
2008      GBCFP Co-convened The Alabama Food Summit
               Second full-time driver added to staff
                900,000 lbs of food distributed
2009      GBCFP Co-convened The Alabama Food Summit  "Food Matters"

               1,000,000 lbs of food distributed
2010      15th Annual WORLD HUNGER DAY event activities began October 28th at UAB Hospital
               4th annual Alabama Food Summit was held November 12th and 13th
                1.5 million lbs of food distributed
2011       8th Annual Empty Bowls held at St. Vincent's April 28
                16th Annual World Hunger Day event to feed 3,800 needy on October 19
                3rd refrigerated truck purchased
                 2 millions lbs of product distributed
2012       New this year! Preview Party for Empty Bowls March 29 at St. Vincent's
                 9th Annual Empty Bowls Soup and Bread Lunch March 30 at St. Vincent's
                 Moved to new location -3728 4th Terrace North

 

Magic City Harvest is a coalition member of the Health Action Partnership. The MCH Executive Director is a 2006 Leadership Birmingham graduate.