The Nashville Food Project’s Blog

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Elevating Voices: Mandy
Elevating Voices: Mandy
National Food Waste Prevention Week 2026
National Food Waste Prevention Week 2026
Elevating Voices: Brennan
Elevating Voices: Brennan
There is a place for you in this work
There is a place for you in this work
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
Grow With Us: Community Garden Beds Now Available
Grow With Us: Community Garden Beds Now Available
Steady Care
Steady Care
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.

Fueling Potential: How Summer Meals Support Youth at the Boys & Girls Club
Fueling Potential: How Summer Meals Support Youth at the Boys & Girls Club

At the Andrew Jackson Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee, kids are spending the summer learning, growing—and thanks to The Nashville Food Project’s made-from-scratch meals—staying nourished, too.

Through the Sweet Peas Summer Eats for Kids program, sponsored by Jackson®, hundreds of healthy meals are delivered each week to support youth during a time when access to regular food can drop off.

This partnership is part of The Nashville Food Project’s Community Meals program, which brings nutritious food directly to organizations already creating safe, supportive spaces for young people.

Now in its sixth year, the collaboration with Jackson is helping serve over 100,000 meals this summer—fueling not just plates, but potential across the city.

TNFP Volunteers Honored at Hands On Nashville Strobel Volunteer Awards
TNFP Volunteers Honored at Hands On Nashville Strobel Volunteer Awards

Two volunteers from The Nashville Food Project received honors at the 2025 Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards. Marcie Smeck Bryant won the Social Justice Impact Award, and Cheri Ferrari was a top finalist for the Charles Strobel Legacy Award. Presented by Hands On Nashville/United Way, the awards are Middle Tennessee's largest annual celebration of volunteerism.

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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