New Second Harvest UC Food Distribution Going Smoothly
Second Harvest says food distributions in the Upper Cumberland have gone smoothly since taking over the food distribution services a month ago. Second Harvest Marketing and Communications Manager Marvin Figgins said Second Harvest has had 31 tractor-trailers from the USDA this past month, which has been huge in serving the Upper Cumberland Region. Figgins said […]
Senator Bailey Raises $55,000 To Support UC Food Banks
With the Government shutdown limiting SNAP benefits, Senator Paul Bailey is making an impact by raising an estimated $55,000 for Upper Cumberland Food Banks. Bailey, along with Representative Ryan Williams and Representative Michael Hale, were able to raise the funds in just one hour. An estimated 20,635 residents across Cumberland, Jackson, Overton, Bledsoe, Putnam, and […]
Middle Tennessee Food Bank Ready For Commodity Program
Nashville-based Second Harvest Middle Tennessee prepared to take over the Tennessee Food Assistance Program from UCHRA. Vice President of Community Impact Tracey Alderdice said the food bank has been working with the state and partner agencies on how to best serve each community. Alderdice said many people who have previously received commodities might have done […]
Second Harvest Trying To Answer Food Distribution Questions
Second Harvest of East Tennessee trying to work through a few issues as it prepares to take over the food commodity program in Cumberland and Fentress County. Executive Director and CEO Elaine Streno said the last few months have consisted of working with the local human resources agencies to learn about each county. Streno said […]
Mayors Concerned About Unknowns In Commodity Transition
Several City and County Mayors voiced concerns Wednesday morning about rural counties’ ability to receive food following the state take over of UCHRA’s commodity program. Three food banks, including Second Harvest, will take over the program in October after a decision by the state. UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley said the Middle Tennessee region lacks […]
UCHRA, State Discuss Food Program Change, System Concerns
UCHRA Representatives met with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and state food banks this week to discuss the commodity program transition. UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley said the conversations were frank and productive. He said he remains unsure why the meeting was not held earlier. Farley said the biggest concerns center on how the food […]
UCHRA Planning Final Commodity Program Distribution
Despite calls to the state about extending the deadline or changing course, the UCHRA Commodity Program will be replaced September 20. Executive Director Mark Farley will be one of UCHRA’s representatives at a meeting with the state and department of agriculture next Tuesday. Farley said it has been difficult to communicate with the department of […]
UCHRA, Concerned About Commodity Transition
What are hoped-to-be short term issues surfacing as UCHRA prepares to hand off its commodity program to Tennessee Food Banks. Executive Director Mark Farley said the food banks are unable to add capacity, meaning less food will be distributed. “[Food banks] reached out to us, I mean, but we’ve lost our funding,” Farley said. “I […]
UCHRA Food Commodity Program Set To Be Outsourced
UCHRA’s long running commodity program will soon be contracted out to local food banks. UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley told the Policy Board Wednesday the commodity program required additional funding from the agency to operate. Farley said the state made the recommendation as a logical step to better serve the people. “From a business perspective, […]
First United Methodist Receives Food Grant
Cookeville First United Methodist Church received a $4,000 grant from Second Harvest to provide food for local residents. On June 26th at 9:30 a.m., a mobile food pantry will deliver a truck load of food to the church. Cookeville First United Methodist Church Servant Ministries Coordinator Tamika Parker said the food will serve around 400 […]
