About Us

Who We Are

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to the food and resources people in our community need to thrive. For nearly 50 years, we have welcomed our neighbors with radical hospitality, empowering them to live free from the daily burden of food insecurity. We prioritize innovation and remain committed to sustainability as we strive for a future where everyone is food secure, and no food is wasted.

A Second Harvest Volunteer

How We Work

We are an integrated part of our community and the overall food system, partnering with others to minimize food waste and help people access what they need to thrive. We receive donations of surplus food from individuals, grocery stores, manufacturers, distributors, and farmers to divert quality items from landfills and repurpose them for people experiencing food insecurity.

As a community-focused organization, we are also intentional about listening to our neighbors to ensure we are meeting their needs effectively and approaching our work with the utmost respect. We go beyond food distribution to empower people in our community through education, advocacy, and connecting them with the right resources to gain stability and move forward.

Packing food boxes as a distribution center
handing out milk

Why We Matter

Second Harvest Food Bank does more than just distribute food, though it is an essential part of our work. We believe in the importance of meeting people where they are, with compassion and acceptance, so they can access the resources they depend on. We build relationships, engage in our community, and advocate for change. Our partnerships with other community organizations help connect our neighbors to wrap-around services that support the whole person. We know a future without food insecurity is possible, and we are working diligently toward it.

A Second Harvest Volunteer

How We Work

We are an integrated part of our community and the overall food system, partnering with others to minimize food waste and help people access what they need to thrive. We receive donations of surplus food from individuals, grocery stores, manufacturers, distributors, and farmers to divert quality items from landfills and repurpose them for people experiencing food insecurity.

As a community-focused organization, we are also intentional about listening to our neighbors to ensure we are meeting their needs effectively and approaching our work with the utmost respect. We go beyond food distribution to empower people in our community through education, advocacy, and connecting them with the right resources to gain stability and move forward.

Food distribution out of a truck bed

Our Team

Across Middle and West Tennessee, 1 in 8 people experience food insecurity – including 1 in 6 children. At the same time, nearly 40 percent of our country’s food supply ends up in landfills. With your help, we can change this. Second Harvest takes in donated surplus food from grocery stores, farmers, and others, diverting the supply from landfills to instead empower our neighbors

A Second Harvest Mobile Food Market

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