Monthly Spotlight
Food 4 VOLS jr.
Describe your project:
The Food4VOLS Jr. initiative was launched to ensure that children in grades K–12 across Knox County had consistent access to nutritious meals during the summer months, when school-provided meals were unavailable. Made possible through a generous $10,000 grant from First Horizon Bank, the program built on the successful Food4VOLS model by preparing meals using recovered, food-safe surplus ingredients, USDA foods provided by Second Harvest of East Tennessee, and purchased items when needed to create balanced, kid-friendly options. Meals were distributed through trusted community partners—including Transforming Western, Knoxville CAC, and the Western Heights Baptist Center—offering convenient grab-and-go and scheduled pick-up times aligned with summer care programs and existing food pantry schedules. Running from mid-May through the end of July 2025, the program provided meals free of charge, bridging a critical nutrition gap and promoting health and well-being for children across the Knoxville community.
What’s your why?
At its core, Food4VOLS exists to close the gap between food waste and food insecurity. Every day, hundreds of pounds of perfectly good food are discarded across campus dining facilities, even as many students and community members struggle to access regular, nutritious meals. Our “why” is simple but powerful: no one in our campus community should go hungry while edible food goes to waste. The launch of Food4VOLS Jr. expands this vision by ensuring that children in grades K–12 have access to nutritious meals during the summer months when school-provided meals are unavailable. By extending our efforts into the Knoxville community, we are not only rescuing more food but also building food security for the next generation, reducing barriers to health and learning for kids across Knox County.
Important lesson learned for people who are doing this work.
- Demand for meals was higher than anticipated, confirming the need to maintain and expand meal production capacity.
- Community support was strong, with local partners and families collaborating to ensure children could access meals easily.
- Children appreciated being able to choose their own meals, which increased engagement and reduced food waste.
- Offering a variety of menu options—including more adult-oriented meals—proved successful, as children were receptive to diverse choices.
- A full-time staff member is needed to manage menu planning, oversee preparation, and engage with the community.
- Parent feedback indicated strong interest in expanding the program beyond the summer months to support children year-round.
Impact made on UT and the community.
The Food4VOLS Jr. Summer Feeding Pilot successfully provided 1,280 meals to a total of 668 children and youth across Knoxville, Knox County, and Anderson County. Forty-one households and 86 children under the Transforming Western project received direct meal deliveries, ensuring access for families relocated to other KCDC properties.
Geographic and School Impact:
Children from across Knox County and surrounding areas participated, representing more than 50 schools from preschool through high school. This included:
- Preschools: Fair Garden, Fort Sanders, Head Start (Western Heights, Northridge Crossing, Kiwanis), Kindercare
- Elementary Schools: Beaumont Magnet, Green Magnet Academy, Lonsdale, Maynard, Norwood, West View, and many others Middle Schools: Bearden, Gresham, Holston, Powell, South-Doyle, Vine, Whittle Springs, etc.
- High Schools: Austin-East, Bearden, Fulton, Hardin Valley, Karns, Powell, West, and others
- Other Programs: Emerald Academy, First Apostolic Christian, Knox County Virtual School, Homeschool groups, Western Heights Boys and Girls Club
- This diversity underscores the county-wide significance of the program and its ability to serve children from a wide range of schools and neighborhoods