A look at how Birmingham, Ala., has become a global leader in food and food issues. Presented at Ignite Birmingham on Feb. 10, 2011. For more, see http://birminghamblogging.com.

1. Birmingham: Food Capital of the World Photo: Food Summit

2. Evolving from steel to banking to medical and engineering to … Photo: Robert S. Donovan (CC)

3. Food has always been a part of our identity.

4. What makes us the food capital of the world? Photo: Matt MacGillivray (CC)

5. Reputation Photo: Leigh Wolf (CC)

10. Destination

11. Birmingham has 17 food festivals and events in 2011. Photo: The Exceptional Foundation

12. Dozens of local restaurants were in the first Restaurant Week. Photo: Robert S. Donovan (CC)

13. Californians among attendees of sold-out FoodBlogSouth conference. Photo: Molly Folse (CC)

14. Magic City Brewfest celebrates fifth year in 2011. Photo: Magic City Brewfest

16. Birmingham is the No. 2 most obese city in America. Photo: David Boyle (CC)

17. 88,000 people can’t get to a grocery store, including 23,000 kids. Map: Examining the Impact of Food Deserts and Food Imbalance on Public Health in Birmingham, Ala.

18. We need more diversity in food choices.

19. We need more diversity in food providers.

20. Bon app é tit. Photo: Robert S. Donovan (CC)