News From The Store

When food assistance is reduced, the financial impact doesn’t simply go away. Reflecting on a letter signed by 210 mayors, including Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, The Store explores how the costs of food insecurity can shift from families to nonprofits, businesses, health systems, and local communities.

Reliable data helps organizations understand where food insecurity is growing, who is being missed, and where resources are needed most. With USDA ending its collection of national food security data, The Store reflects on what losing that broader view could mean for hunger-relief organizations and the families they serve. Feeding America is exploring alternative data sources for future estimates.

Addressing food insecurity in Middle Tennessee is bigger than any one organization. A recent visit with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee team offered a reminder of what’s possible when organizations share what they’ve learned, lean into their unique strengths, and work together toward a common goal.

For many families, school meals provide more than breakfast and lunch—they create critical room in the household grocery budget. The Store reflects on why summer can bring added food insecurity and what happens when the support families rely on during the school year suddenly disappears.

Each week, By Faith Farm delivers fresh, locally grown produce to The Store—part of the more than one million servings they’ve donated to the community. What began as a partnership has grown into something deeper: a shared commitment to nourishing our neighbors and relationships that make Tuesdays worth looking forward to.

Destiny comes to The Store for groceries—and often returns with something made to share. From apple pie to monkey bread, her generosity is a reminder that community care goes both ways. At The Store, neighbors aren’t simply served; they become part of a family that shows up for one another.

When co-founder Brad Paisley took the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire hot seat, a question about snakes led to an unexpected win for The Store. The result? $125,000 to help provide fresh, nutritious groceries with dignity and choice to families across Middle Tennessee.

What began as a connection between volunteers Bruce and Pascale and customer Miss Eleanor grew into a meaningful friendship. Their story is a reminder that The Store is about more than filling grocery carts—it’s about creating a community where neighbors know one another, care for one another, and keep showing up.