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Building Sustainable Food Systems 

Sustainable Food Systems nourish communities and protect the planet. That’s why World Hunger Day is emphasizing sustainable solutions to hunger.   Second Harvest believes providing food for today is only part of the solution. To truly fight hunger, we must build sustainable food systems.   These food systems are community-centered, climate-resilient, and designed to last. […]

Why Composting Matters in the Fight Against Hunger

Why composting matters goes far beyond protecting the environment. Composting is a powerful tool in the fight against hunger.   Composting turns food waste into nutrient-rich soil. It reduces the amount of food that ends up in landfills all while supporting sustainable farming practices.   That’s why composting matters.   One-third of all food produced […]

Eating Healthy on a Budget for Blood Pressure Control 

A person in a mask moves boxes in a food bank. In the foreground, “Healthy Choices Food Box” labels highlight items for eating healthy on a budget for blood pressure control. Shelves of groceries are visible in the background.

Is eating healthy on a budget for blood pressure control possible? Produce and heart-healthy foods often cost more. That puts them out of reach for many families.   Second Harvest is working to change that. We’re committed to providing nutritious options.    Last year, Second Harvest distributed more than 15.8 million pounds of produce. Fresh produce plays […]

Here is why LFPA funding matters.  

A group of people poses in front of large hay bales decorated with a photo labeled ELDRIDGE, surrounded by colorful flowers—a reminder of why LFPA funding matters—in a field dotted with farm equipment and trees in the background.

Locally grown food is one of the most powerful tools we have to fight hunger. That is exactly why LFPA (Local Food Purchase Assistance) funding matters.    Tony Eldridge of Eldridge Farms knows that well. Tony, along with his wife Denese, has been farming in Middle Tennessee for decades. Their farm is part of Second […]

Gardening Tips for Beginners

An older man wearing a straw hat, glasses, a blue plaid shirt, and tan overalls stands smiling by a raised garden bed in a sunny, rural setting—perfect for sharing Gardening Tips for Beginners amid green trees and a house in the background.

April is a time to dig into the soil, plant seeds of hope, and grow more than just food. Second Harvest believes gardening can be a powerful tool in the fight against hunger.   Whether you’re growing herbs on your windowsill or starting your first backyard garden, every effort counts.   We know not everyone is […]

How Important is Healthy Food for Mothers and Babies?

The secret to a thriving life is healthy food for mothers and babies.   World Health Day 2025 is bringing attention to maternal and newborn health. Second Harvest knows how vital food is during pregnancy and when a child is very young.   Proper nutrition supports a healthy pregnancy. It reduces complications during childbirth and gives newborns […]

From the Desk of Nancy Keil

Official Memo from Nancy Keil President & CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee  Behind every meal we provide is a story. Stories of children who can now focus in class. Seniors who no longer have to skip dinner to pay the utility bill. Parents who can finally breathe a little easier knowing their family […]

Healthy and Affordable Meals: Veggie Stir Fry

A close-up of a stir-fry dish featuring chicken, broccoli, red bell peppers, and sesame seeds in a black pan. This fresh and colorful meal is a great example of healthy and affordable meals.

March is Nutrition Month. A perfect time to focus on healthy and affordable meals.   Eating healthy food doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Our vegetable stir-fry is a simple and delicious way to enjoy a balanced meal.  We use pantry staples and frozen veggies to pack this recipe full of flavor and nutrients.  Our […]

Nutrition Month Quadruple Match Donation

A toddler with pigtails, wearing a green shirt, sits in an orange chair and holds a green apple up to their mouth, highlighting Nutrition Month Quadruple Match Donation, set against a teal background with abstract dotted circles.

Nutrition Month is a time to focus on making nutritious food accessible to everyone.  No one should have to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table. That’s why we’re making this month extra special with a quadruple-match opportunity!   Nourish Your Neighbor Day   A generous group of donors is offering to quadruple every […]

How to Build a Tornado Emergency Kit

Two people stand by an SUV with open doors, unloading a tornado emergency kit from a blue bin. Behind them, debris and destroyed houses reveal the devastation left by a recent storm or tornado under an overcast sky.

Tornado season is here. Tornadoes strike with little warning. They leave families without power, clean water, or access to food. It is important to keep food, water, and emergency supplies on hand to stay safe.   Second Harvest knows preparedness may feel like a luxury to some. When families are already struggling to make ends meet, […]