The Nashville Food Project’s Blog

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A Community Centered on Service
A Community Centered on Service
National Agriculture Day at The Nashville Food Project
National Agriculture Day at The Nashville Food Project
At the Table, Episode 2
At the Table, Episode 2
Featured Recipe from Produce Rx: Butternut Squash with Black Beans
Featured Recipe from Produce Rx: Butternut Squash with Black Beans
Planting the Future: Building a Community Orchard at Mill Ridge
Planting the Future: Building a Community Orchard at Mill Ridge
Elevating Voices: Barb Hoffmann & Mary Dionne
Elevating Voices: Barb Hoffmann & Mary Dionne

Together, their rhythm has been simple and steady. One experimenting. One anchoring. Both caring deeply about the meals that leave the kitchen.

Access. Dignity. Infrastructure.
Access. Dignity. Infrastructure.
Access Matters
Access Matters

At The Nashville Food Project, we are building the infrastructure that makes nourishment predictable and dignified. This is proactive work. It happens in kitchens designed to recover surplus and prepare consistent meals. It happens in gardens where neighbors grow food that reflects their cultures and preferences. It happens in partnerships that align farmers, clinics, agencies, and volunteers toward shared outcomes.

Elevating Voices: Bridget Bryant
Elevating Voices: Bridget Bryant

Through farming, she has been able to grow and share produce in ways that connect her more deeply to community. Food has opened doors. It has introduced her to people she might never have met otherwise. It has created opportunities to teach others about the importance of caring for the Earth with intention and respect.

Elevating Voices: Bianca Morton
Elevating Voices: Bianca Morton

Food, for Bianca, has always been a connector. A way to show care. A way to build community. A way to express love when words fall short. Her life has been shaped by faith, purpose, and a deep belief that what we make with our hands can change what happens in the world.

At The Table, Episode 1
At The Table, Episode 1
Food & Faith Conference: Building a More Connected Hunger Response
Food & Faith Conference: Building a More Connected Hunger Response
Grow With Us: Community Garden Beds Now Available
Grow With Us: Community Garden Beds Now Available
Planting for the Future
Planting for the Future

Community orchards are long-term investments. They ask us to think beyond a single growing season and consider what sustained nourishment can look like over time. Once established, this orchard will provide fresh fruit for community partners and neighbors, while also serving as a shared space for learning, connection, and stewardship.

First Taste: An Introduction to The Nashville Food Project
First Taste: An Introduction to The Nashville Food Project
Simmer x The Pepper Pott
Simmer x The Pepper Pott
Love in Action: A Community Open House at The Nashville Food Project
Love in Action: A Community Open House at The Nashville Food Project
Building a Caring Community
Building a Caring Community
Winter Storm Fern Resources
Winter Storm Fern Resources
Anatomy of a Meal
Anatomy of a Meal
Steady Care on the Ground: Community Mapping in North Nashville
Steady Care on the Ground: Community Mapping in North Nashville
Beginning the Year Together
Beginning the Year Together
Building Inspired Community
Building Inspired Community
MJ (2).jpg
Hands in the soil, heart in the community
December's Seasonal Bounty: A Feast for the Senses
December's Seasonal Bounty: A Feast for the Senses
Holiday Helpings: when action nourishes community
Holiday Helpings: when action nourishes community
Growing Together Farmer's Market: New Generations Award recipient
Growing Together Farmer's Market: New Generations Award recipient
There is enough when we work together
There is enough when we work together
Building a Healthier North Nashville, Together
Building a Healthier North Nashville, Together
Looking Back at Nourish 2025
Looking Back at Nourish 2025

Nourish 2025 was a powerful celebration of food, community, and connection. From a beautifully collaborative meal prepared by top chefs to stories that highlighted the heart of our mission, the evening brought people together around a shared table and a shared purpose—to nourish Nashville.

Meal Partnerships, Meals Guest User Meal Partnerships, Meals Guest User

Celebrating Community at John Glenn

Its lunchtime on a Thursday; which, means it’s time to load the truck up and hit the road. The destination: John Glenn and Peggy Ann Alsup Arbors Residential Center.

Its lunchtime on a Thursday; which, means it’s time to load the truck up and hit the road. The destination: John Glenn and Peggy Ann Alsup Arbors Residential Center. John Glenn is a part of National Church Residences which provides housing for seniors with low incomes who meet the criteria set by HUD.

When first entering this community, you are greeted with a warm welcome, in the form of a smile, wave, or “Thank You for being here.” Later in the day, one receives more kind words, jokes that turn into laughter, and hugs that turn into friendship. So much so, that the usual one hour lunch run called for more. We decided to add music, games, and fellowship to the mix, turning it into a fun Community Day.

The Nashville Food Project has been serving a weekly lunch for the residents of John Glenn since 2013. Since then, we’ve built deep relationships with the community, and we’ve watched as they have done the same. What began four years ago as residents of two disconnected buildings has become a thriving community where the men and women interact like family. When one wonders what we mean when we say that nourishing food cultivates community, look no further than the incredible community at John Glenn.

On our recent Community Day, we had a balloon race, tunes from Earth Wind and Fire, and a room full of participants in a fun game. The music even led to shaking and dancing. To top it off, this day was a part of National Volunteer Appreciation Week at The Nashville Food Project. Thursday was marked as Backwards Day, and John Glenn Residents decided to join in on the fun. Almost everyone was in backwards clothing! This excitement led to an even greater afternoon. 

An hour of sharing the meal and joking around wasn’t enough. Nonetheless, we packed up and headed back to TNFP, leaving John Glenn until the next week. We left with handshakes, hugs, smiles, and “come back soon.” 

We’ve joined this community as more than a meal partner. We feel a part of a family that welcomes us to the cookout every Thursday afternoon. Thank you for welcoming us, folks! 

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