In the summer of 1977, a planning professor at the University of Tennessee, Robert L. Wilson, and nine graduate students began to look at Knoxville's urban food system. Their report “Food Distribution and Consumption in Knoxville: Exploring Food-Related Local Planning Issues” identified areas of Knoxville where food access was limited. Their work helped spur the creation of the Knoxville-Knox County Food Policy Council.
Keeping with the tradition of collaboration between the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and the Knoxville-Knox County Food Policy Council, the Food Policy Council continues to study issues in our communities, holding community meetings and producing policy recommendations for Knoxville City Council, Knox County Commission and other local food system stakeholders.
The resources below highlight some of those findings, as well as resources in our community that support food access and the goals of the Food Policy Council.
Data Resources
- The United Way of Greater Knoxville has created a Food Systems Data Hub that hosts all archived Food Policy Council reports as well as other food systems data sources.
- The Community Food Security Assessment Data Hub includes all data collected through a community-wide food security assessment completed in 2024.
Food Resources
- The Knox County Health Department's Healthy Eating webpage provides information on accessing food, local food options and healthy food programming in Knox County.
- Knox County Health Department's Food Resource Guide has information on local food pantries and other food assistance programs
- Visit Second Harvest Food Bank of East TN to find a food pantry near you.
- Visit 211 to be connected to with nonprofit and government services in your area.
Community Resources
- The Knox County Community Health Council addresses health challenges and barriers faced by residents in Knox County. Their current health initiatives include Adverse Childhood Experiences, Cancer and Diabetes.
- The Knox County Health Department has resources that promote active, healthy lifestyles, assist with chronic disease management and promote healthy aging.
- The Mighty Moments program empowers parents, families, and the communities around them to embrace moments of strength and determination when caring for themselves and their loved ones. Find information on comprehensive health services and informative resources on family planning, prenatal care, and beyond on the program's website.