In October 2013 public health officials in Alabama investigated an outbreak of Salmonella Senftenberg infections among persons who ate food at a community fundraiser in Athens, Alabama. The event called "Bean Day" is an annual event organized and hosted by the Athens-Limestone Foundation for the Aging. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to determine common exposures among ill individuals. In total 50 outbreak associated cases were identified. Three people were hospitalized. No one died.

Environmental staff from Alabama Public Health Area (PHA) 2 conducted on-site environmental inspections of food preparation facilities used during the fundraiser and interviewed food preparers. Environmental samples were obtained from two facilities (a church and local jail) where food was prepared and from a variety of other areas where food could have been contaminated. Salmonella Senftenberg was isolated in two environmental samples obtained from the church and nine food samples. Seven of the 9 positive food samples were beans served during the fundraiser. Investigators could not determine at what point during the food preparation the beans became contaminated but the environmental investigation noted opportunities for person-to-person spread, cross contamination, or improper holding temperatures.