County Commission | The Magazine July 2019 | Page 23

FROM THE COVER
agents fund it themselves, and about
30 volunteers do the hands-on work
of serving in the buffet line.
“We enjoy doing it. This
is probably one of the most
important things we do as an
Association,” said AACAAS
President Anthony Wiggins, who
is based in Escambia County. “It’s
all about the importance of those
relationships and being in front of
the commissioners.”
The tried-and-true menus
have become part of the tradition.
At lunch, chicken fingers and
fried catfish get the starring roles
with a bevy of homegrown sides,
including sliced tomatoes and fresh
watermelon. For dessert, there is ice
cream and miniature pecan pies,
and tables are decorated with juicy
peaches or crisp apples.
Alabama-made hot sauce is a
popular item at both meals, and the
breakfast offerings include sausage,
bacon, eggs, grits, cantaloupe and
tomatoes. However, some years
the reality of agriculture affects
the menus, since weather and
growers’ harvesting cycles play into
what produce is available during
convention week.
Many years ago, the agents did
the cooking themselves, but they
now partner with the Perdido
Beach Resort.
“It’s amazing it’s made it so
long,” said Kevan Tucker, co-chair
of the County Agents Kitchen
this year. Tucker, who works in
Clarke County, said the volunteers
sometimes receive thank-you notes
or emails from commissioners and
their spouses.
Additionally, ACCA’s president
and president-elect receive special gifts
during the opening general session,
when their AACAAS counterparts
present them with hams that were
smoked and cured in the state. n
County Agents
Kitchen Lunch
Noon
Wednesday,
Aug. 21
County Agents
Kitchen Breakfast
7:30 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 22
One free, easy call or online request gets member utilities
marked AND helps protect you from injury and expense.
Safe Digging Is No Accident: Contact 811 Before You Dig.
www.al811.com
COUNTY COMMISSION | 23