Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network Announces 2026 #GrowFoodChallenge Winners

The Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network (NWTN LFN) is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 #GrowFoodChallenge, a regional initiative designed to inspire youth and families to grow food, reduce food waste through composting, and strengthen local food security across Northwest Tennessee.

Weakley County participants claimed both second and third place honors. Clayton Ward received the $100 second-place award, while Brooks Crowe earned third place and a $75 cash prize.

This year’s challenge engaged 310 participants from across the region who accepted the challenge to plant, grow, learn, and share their gardening journey through themed photo and video submissions. Participants received free seeds, educational resources, and opportunities to win prizes while building lifelong skills in gardening, nutrition, and environmental stewardship.

2026 #GrowFoodChallenge Winners

Grand Prize Winner ($250): McKenzie Early Head Start (Carroll County, TN) received the Grand Prize

Second Place Winner ($100): Clayton Ward received a $100 cash prize for his photo submission showcasing his gardening efforts.

Third Place Winner ($75): Brooks Crowe received a $75 cash prize for his photo submission and commitment to growing food.

“The true winners of this challenge are all 310 participants who chose to grow something this year. Every seed planted represents healthier families, stronger communities, and a more resilient local food system” – Samantha Smith Goyret, Co-Director of the Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network

Growing a Healthier Northwest Tennessee

The #GrowFoodChallenge encourages individuals, families, schools, childcare centers, and community groups throughout Northwest Tennessee’s nine-county region to grow food, compost food scraps, and share their experiences through themed photo submissions. Participants learn that gardening can happen anywhere—from large backyard gardens to raised beds, community plots, porches, and even windowsills.

This year, 7,763 free seed packets were distributed throughout Northwest Tennessee thanks to generous donations from International Seed Company and the Society of St. Andrew, helping remove barriers to gardening and making fresh food production accessible to more families.

Thank You to Our Seed Distribution Partners

NWTN LFN extends sincere appreciation to the fifteen community organizations and agencies that served as seed distribution partners, helping connect residents with free seeds and educational resources throughout the region. Their commitment ensured that participants from Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Henry, Lake, Obion, and Weakley counties had convenient access to the tools needed to begin growing food and reducing food waste.

A huge THANK YOU to the W. G. RHEA PUBLIC LIBRARY for hosting their seed swap event in May 2026 and helping grow excitement for this year’s #GrowFoodChallenge!

Thank You to Our Participants

Most importantly, we thank all 310 participants who joined the 2026 #GrowFoodChallenge. Whether you planted a single herb on a windowsill, built a raised-bed garden, started a compost pile, or grew food to share with neighbors, your efforts made a difference.

Together, you have demonstrated that local food begins with local action.

As Northwest Tennessee continues building a thriving and equitable food system, the #GrowFoodChallenge remains a powerful reminder that growing food not only nourishes our bodies, it strengthens communities, supports food security, and creates lasting connections to the land and one another.

For more information about the #GrowFoodChallenge and other Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network programs, visit the #GrowFoodChallenge page.

About Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network

The Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network serves as a catalyst for a thriving and equitable local food system that is accessible to all. Through education, community engagement, farm-to-school initiatives, and local food system development, NWTN LFN connects farmers, schools, organizations, and residents to create healthier communities and stronger local economies. #Getitlocal Learn more at nwtnlfn.org.

May 11, 2026May 11, 2026

FREE SEEDS for YOUTH in #GrowFoodChallenge

The Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network (NWTNLFN) is proud to launch the 2026 #Grow Food Challenge, a youth-focused initiative designed to inspire children, teens, and young adults (ages 1–21) to explore gardening, composting, nutrition, and sustainability while having fun and connecting to their local food system.

Running from May 1 through July 1, 2026, with a celebration on July 4th at the Martin Farmers Market, the Grow Food Challenge invites youth across Northwest Tennessee to get their hands in the soil, reduce food waste, and submit their journey through photos and videos.

“This challenge is about more than growing food. It’s about growing knowledge, confidence, and community. From a single sprout on a windowsill to a full backyard garden, every effort counts. “- NWTNLFN Co-Director, Caroline Ideus

Participation is free and open to youth ages 1–21 in Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Henry, Lake, Obion, and Weakley counties.

Participants can:
– Grow edible plants such as vegetables, fruits, herbs, or edible flowers
– Plant seeds in containers, raised beds, or recycled pots
– Start indoor herb gardens or outdoor plots
– Begin composting at home
– Show how you are reducing household food waste

Starting May 1, 2026, participants can also pick up FREE seeds and supplies from 15 local Grow Food Challenge Seed Distribution Partners across the region.

“Partnership is at the heart of everything we do. Our 15 Seed Distribution Partners help ensure that young people across our region have access to the seeds, and information they need to start growing. These collaborations, along with upcoming Partner Grow Food Challenge-themed events, create opportunities for families to learn, connect, and celebrate together—strengthening not just gardens, but our entire local food system.” – Sam Goyret, Co-Director of the Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network

Participants are encouraged to submit their journey by documenting their progress through with a simple photo or collage of photos or a short video taken between May 1 and July 1, 2026. All entries must be submitted by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Enter Here

Prize winners will be selected through a random drawing from all eligible entries. Awards will be distributed as follows: 1st Place – $250, 2nd Place – $100, 3rd Place – $75.

The Grow Food Challenge promotes hands-on learning in nutrition, environmental stewardship, sustainable habits, and teamwork. Gardening helps young people better understand where food comes from and how to reduce waste that builds habits to benefit both their families and the broader community.

Sharon Public Library Seed Display for the #GrowFoodChallenge

Winners will be announced during a live celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Martin Area Farmers Market and via Facebook Live @NWTNLFN.

From sprouts to harvest, every step matters. Whether it’s a leafy green, a blooming herb, or a compost bin in progress, participants are invited to share their story and help grow a stronger, more sustainable local food system.

Plant it. Snap it. Win it. Grow with us. Learn more at nwtnlfn.org/grow-food-challenge

November 15, 2025November 14, 2025

#GrowFoodChallenge #SeedMoney Campaign

Help Us Grow a Healthier, Stronger Northwest Tennessee.

Donate to our #SeedMoney Fundraiser in support of the 2026 #GrowFoodChallenge!

Food insecurity affects more than 1 in 5 people in our region, including children, seniors, and working families. At the same time, many people want to eat healthier, save money, and become more self-sufficient—but don’t know where to start.

The #GrowFoodChallenge is a fun, inclusive, and practical way for people of all ages and backgrounds to take action by growing their own food, reducing food waste through composting, and building stronger, more resilient communities.

Watch our video below to learn how your donations last year, made an impact in 2025.

Last year, the #GrowFoodChallenge reached over 600 households across 9 counties. We distributed 13,000 seeds throughout Northwest Tennessee. Participants reported eating more fresh produce, spending more time outdoors, and feeling empowered to grow their own food. Schools and community groups used the challenge as an educational tool to teach kids about healthy eating, science, and the environment. With your support, we can expand our reach in 2026—providing free seeds, composting kits, how-to workshops, and more to hundreds of new growers.

Help us Reach our $900 Fundraising GOAL

We’re calling on our Northwest Tennessee community to come together and make a powerful impact. With just $100 raised in each of the 9 counties we proudly serve—Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Henry, Lake, Obion, and Weakley—we can reach our goal of $900 and strengthen local food systems across our region.

It’s simple math with big meaning:
When each county contributes a small share, our entire region grows stronger together.

Your gift—no matter the size—helps fuel programs that nourish families, support farmers, and build a healthier, more connected Northwest Tennessee.

Support the 2026 #GrowFoodChallenge
Grow Our Future

Your donation helps us remove barriers and make gardening accessible for everyone, regardless of income or experience. Together, we can grow food, grow knowledge, and grow community. Join us in planting hope—one seed at a time.

Donate.SeedMoney.org

May 11, 2025May 13, 2025

Farm to Toddler Grants Awarded

The Nourishing Connection Program, managed by the Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network, grant awardees received a $250 check with a watermelon-themed box filled with a variety of seeds.

The Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network has awarded 12 mini-grants of $250 each to certified DHS early childcare centers and group/family agencies located within the 9-county region of Northwest Tennessee through the Nourishing Connection Program.

The goal of the Nourishing Connection program is to nourish the connections young children have with healthy consumption habits by providing hands-on agricultural and nutrition education experiences through 1) growing food projects, 2) nutrition and agriculture education, and 3) eating local foods in school meals. Projects will incorporate all 3 of these elements in their grant proposal.

The following 12 Early Childcare Centers were awarded a $250 Nourishing Connection grant:

Benton County: Adventure Academy at Joyland

Carroll County: McKenzie Head Start/EHS

Carroll County: First Baptist Child Development Center

Dyer County: Safe Havens Learning Center

Gibson County: Little People’s Daycare

Gibson County: Little People’s Jumpstart

Gibson County: Miss Flossie’s Academy of Development

Weakley County: Christian Wee Learn Center

Weakley County: Aunt Tracey’s Daycare

Weakley County: Gingerbread Junction LLC

Weakley County: Meme’s Daycare Center

Weakley County: Cozy Cottage Daycare.

“With recent cuts to USDA programs such as Local Foods for Local Schools and the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants, we offered these new grants to help continue the vital work of supporting families and our early childcare partners who are nurturing our youngest eaters,” stated Caroline Ideus, NWTNLFN Co-Director. “This isn’t just about filling a gap,” said Ideus. “It’s about continuing a movement toward a local food system that is healthier, more resilient, and rooted in local economies.”

The grants were made available with a generous donation provided by Vital Farms. Each awardee received a $250 check with a grow kit including a variety of seeds to get the growing season started and share their seeds with families as part of this year’s #GrowFoodChallenge.

Learn more about this program at nwtnlfn.org/nourishing-connection.

Three Gibson County Early Childcare Centers, Little People’s Daycare, Little People’s Jumpstart, and Miss Flossie’s Academy of Development received a Nourishing Connection Grant for $250 each to support their Farm to Early Childcare activities.

Director Tracey Toney of Tracey’s Home Day Care out of Weakley County, TN, received a Nourishing Connection grant that will support her early childcare farm and growing projects.

McKenzie Head Start/EHS in Carroll County, TN, is ready to get STARTED growing food for their center and utilizing their new compost bin. They are the featured site for this year’s #GrowFoodChallenge COMPOST theme prize announcement. Join the #GrowFoodChallenge and win prizes at nwtnlfn.org/grow-food-challenge.

Karen Teem, Family Advocate, shows how she has started her seeds at McKenzie Head Start. They are also a seed distribution partner for this year’s #GrowFoodChallenge for community members to pick up free seeds.

Ginger Randolph, Director of Gingerbread Junction in Dresden, TN, has been growing food onsite at her childcare center since 2020.

Assistant Director – Monica Beal at Christian Wee Learn in Martin, TN, serves 192 children on a daily basis.

Adventure Academy at Joyland’s Director, Elaina Chandler, serves children living in Benton County, TN.

Annetta Williams, Director of Meme’s Daycare Center out of Martin, TN, is passionate about feeding young children healthy, fresh food.

The Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based out of Martin, TN, whose mission is to serve as a catalyst for a thriving and equitable local food system that is accessible to ALL

May 5, 2025May 5, 2025

🌱 Join the Next #GrowFoodChallenge! PHOTO THEME: COMPOST

We’re excited to partner with the Tennessee Environmental Council’s #ComePostYOURCompost program to help you build better soil and reduce food waste!

🗓 Next Prize Entry Deadline:
Thursday, June 12, 2025 by 11:59pm
📸 Submit a photo showing how YOU are making compost! Photos are not judged on quality, but more as proof to show how you are composting. One photo submission per household.

There are two steps to this Challenge:

1) Submit your photo HERE and then

2) Join the #ComePostYourCompost Program.

🎁 Prizes Include:

✅ A Bamboozle Compost Pail donated by Bamboozle with $100 Cash Prize
✅ A Bamboozle Compost Pail with a $50 Gift Card to Good Fill Zero-Waste Products from the Tennessee Environmental Council

📍 Winner Announcement:
Saturday, June 14 at 10 AM
Live on Facebook from McKenzie Head Start, Carroll County, TN. Follow us @NWTNLFN

🌾 Open to all residents in the Northwest Tennessee 9-county region
💡 You can still pick up free seeds from our 20+ distribution partners!

📘 Download resources & learn more:
👉 nwtnlfn.org/grow-food-challenge

Let’s turn food scraps into fertile ground—get composting and get rewarded! 🌍🌿

April 30, 2024May 2, 2024

START Turning Waste into TN Gold

During this #GrowFoodChallenge season, here are a few ways to reduce food & household waste while building delicious, nutritious, soil – also known as Tennessee Gold!

The #GrowFoodChallenge is a call to action for individuals, families, schools, youth, & community groups in Northwest Tennessee to grow food & build soil.

From Saturday, April 13 – June 29, 2024, registered participants residing in NWTN may earn up to 6 prize entries through the START. GROW. HARVEST categories by submitting online photos of your growing food AND reducing food waste projects.

Learn more about photo submission forms HERE

Register for the #GrowFoodChallenge HERE

Creative Ways to Reduce Food Waste

Freeze food that is about to go bad. Go through your fridge every few days and take an assessment of what’s about to spoil. Then decide whether you should cook with it, freeze it, or compost it.

How to Freeze Fruits and Veggies

Cook with your food scraps. Don’t toss those potato peels! Save those onion ends!

Homemade Vegetable Stock

Grow food from kitchen scraps! Green onions, carrots, potatoes, celery, garlic, and countless other scraps can be grown in your garden or in a jar in your kitchen for free produce all year long!

15 foods you can regrow from scraps

Organize your refrigerator and dry food storage to use older items first. Learn more about food product dating.
Eat leftovers for lunch or another meal within 3-4 days.

Join #ComePostYourCompost

The Tennessee Environmental Council’s #ComePostYourCompost Program helps you know how to turn your food waste into healthier soils. Join the community of composters and help divert tons of food waste from Tennessee landfills!

Sign-up within your TN County HERE

Join the Facebook Group

What is Compost?

Composting is a natural process by which any organic material, such as food waste or lawn trimmings, is broken down by naturally occurring bacteria and fungus in the soil to form compost. The resulting materials—compost—is a nutrient-rich soil amendment that looks a lot like soil itself.

Compost Guide

How do I compost?

Compost will transform the food scraps (and other materials like paper and cardboard) into healthy, nutrient-rich soil! This is the basis for all life on Earth. By composting you are participating in the healing of our planet.

Download the TN Environmental Council’s What to Compost

Download the TN Environmental Council’s Simple Steps to Composting

Trash Talk Video – #ComePostYourCompost – by the Tennessee Environmental Council

Learn tips on how and where to compost from the Tennessee Environmental Council.

Turning Yard Waste into TN Gold

As you clean-up your yards from leaves and clear out your garden beds of weeds, consider re-using these natural elements to the benefit of your wallet, your soil, and our climate.

Recycling food and other organic waste into compost provides a range of environmental benefits, including improving soil health, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, recycling nutrients, and mitigating the impact of droughts. Composting can be done in many ways. It’s all about utilizing the power of natural decomposition processes, and turning yard scraps into Tennessee gold. My family composts by piling mounds all over our yard because we have lots of weeds – all over, and it’s a lot of yard waste to deal with. Instead of giving it away to a waste company, we give it back to the soil.

6 Ways to Turn Yard Waste into Tennessee Gold

Repurpose your Fall Leaves: Add fallen leaves to your compost pile. The carbon in leaves is essential to a healthy compost pile by adding nutrients and keeping moisture. You can pile them up next to your compost and add them into your pile, gradually, all year. Don’t have a compost pile? Check out the Tennessee Environmental Council’s #Come Post Your Compost web and facebook group pages.
Use leaves in your potted plants: Mix dried leaves in the top two to three inches of soil. Overtime the leaves will decompose and increase nutrients, giving your potted plants a healthy start!
Save your lawn by just mowing over your leaves: Instead of raking up your leaves, just go over your whole yard with your lawn mower, this will chop up the leaves, spread them out, and allow them to decompose throughout the winter. Shredded leaves are also a cost effective alternative to store bought mulch and will help protect grass, flower buds and seeds in your yard.
Create Art Projects with your fallen leaves: Pick the most beautiful fall leaves to preserve and use for seasonal decorations. Leaves are a versatile art material. You can use them to stuff scarecrows, make a pretty wreath, and even for leaf rubbing art. If you would like to make leaf rubbing art, place fresh and/or dried leaves under a sheet of paper and shade over each leaf with a colored pencil or crayon – it’s magical!
Gather the leaves and help the critters: Many wildlife species live or rely on the leaves to find food or make habitats. If you want to keep your yard clean, but help with wildlife then rake up the leaves and pill them up in a far corner of your yard. If you have a woodsy area on your property you can place them there!
Save your cardboard & reduce waste in your neighborhood: Use cardboard in- between your garden bed rows and top them off with your neighbor’s leaf bags. It’s cheaper than buying bags of mulch and they decompose to create rich, luscious soil.

Use cardboard in-between your garden bed rows and top them off with your neighbor’s leaf bags. It’s cheaper than buying bags of mulch and they decompose to create rich, luscious soil. Make sure to remove any plastic tape the cardboard might have and the leaves are clean (with no garbage).

The combination of cardboard and leaves help the weeds stay blacked-out and not grow throughout season. Utilizing leaves around your yard builds your soil, protects from drought, and prevents pesky weeds from invading your pathways – saving you both time and money and protecting our earth’s natural resources: soil and water.

Grow Food Challenge Winner Donates Prize and Hunger Relief Guide Published

Beginning on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22 through July 1, 2023, the #GrowFoodChallenge partnered with 14 Seed Distribution Partners in 9 northwest Tennessee counties to distribute 2,700 seed packets donated by the Society of St. Andrews, Sow True Seed, Community Gardens Commission, Barefoot Gardens, and Ferry Morris.

Doubling the amount from last year, in 2023, 105 participants registered, impacting a total of 609 individuals, families, and childcare centers, including 338 children from nine (9) Northwest Tennessee Counties: Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Henry, Lake, Obion, and Weakley, TN.

The #GrowFoodChallenge is a yearly call to action for individuals, families, schools, & community groups in Northwest Tennessee to grow food (#NWTNEssentialGardens) & build soil (#ComePostYourCompost). Local growers are encouraged to donate their extra produce to food pantries throughout the region by visiting the NWTN LFN’s webpage: nwtnlfn.org/volunteer/plant-a-row-for-the-hungry.

#Grow Food Challenge participants could participate in three themed photo entry opportunities to win prizes: START. GROW. HARVEST. Participants entered up to a total of 6 photos showcasing their growing food and food waste projects. There were several prizes associated with each theme including the grand prize to fill a chest freezer with a quarter processed beef from NB Beef Company.

Owen Wenz, is the #GrowFoodChallenge winner of a family pass for four from Discovery Park of America! Owen is very knowledgeable about plants and loves to grow food! It’s little guys like him that inspire big kids like us to grow more food and reduce food waste!

Margaret Perry Childcare Center inWeakley County, Tennessee won theBamboozle compost pail prize from this year’s#GrowFoodChallenge. The staff and children not only grow healthy food, they serve healthy food in their daycare meals, too!#farmtoECE

Bethany Overington from Carroll County won the START prize for the #GrowFoodChallenge donated by Tractor Supply out of Milan, TN.

The NWTN Local Food Network recently published a Hunger Relief Guide. Local growers are encouraged to donate their extra produce to food pantries throughout the region by downloading the guide from NWTN LFN’s webpage: nwtnlfn.org/volunteer/plant-a-row-for-the-hungry.

On Saturday, July 1st, at the Martin Farmer’s Market Celebration Event, Samantha Goyret and Caroline Ideus, Local Food Network Team Members and Co-Managers of the Market, with the help of musician Alex Sadler, announced the winner of this year’s #Grow Food Challenge.

The McKenzie Senior Center from Carroll County, TN was announced as the grand prize winner. They won a chest freezer to include a quarter processed beef from NB Beef Company out of Sharon, TN.

Pictured here, left Samantha Goyret and Right Caroline Ideus present a sign of gratitude to NB Beef Company owners – Cody Nanney and Justin Burlison, who donated a quarter of their locally raised and processed beef to the #GrowFoodChallenge Grand Prize Winner: McKenzie Senior Center who will be donating their prize to United Neighbors, a food pantry in Carroll County.

“We are thankful for the opportunity to partner with NWTN Local Food Network to provide this type of offering. Eat local and Eat beef!”
– Justin Burlison, Co-owner of NB Beef Company

These gifts keep on giving because, as a collective decision, the McKenzie Senior Citizens Center has donated their prized freezer full of local beef to United Neighbors, a local thrift store and food pantry located in McKenzie in Carroll County, TN.

Left to right: A #GrowFoodChallenge collaboration with Samantha Goyret – NWTN Local Food Network, Cody Nanney – NB Beef Company, Saudia Aiken – United Neighbors, Karen Ibarra – McKenzie Senior Citizens Center

“We have been serving our community’s seniors since 1963 with a total 82 active annual members today,” stated Carol Armpriest, President of the McKenzie Senior Citizens Center. “We decided to donate our grand prize to United Neighbors because they could use a freezer full of local beef for their clientele in our community. It aligns with the activities the Local Food Network is promoting in the #GrowFoodChallenge – provide your extra food to others who are in need.”

*NB Beef Company cuts included brisket, chuck roast, boneless ribeye steak, new york strip, filet, sirloin, flank steak, sirloin tip steak, stew meat and ground beef.*

Photo: (Left to Right) Carol Armpriest, Samantha and Sofia Goyret, and Karen Ibarra pose with the Hunger Relief Guide and their #GrowFoodChallenge Winner Certificate in front of the McKenzie Senior Citizens Center square-foot garden that is located behind their building, near the EW James Grocery Store parking lot in McKenzie, TN. They will be donating their prize to United Neighbors, a local food pantry.

Karen Ibarra, also pictured, partnered with Carol in creating the garden with the goal of benefiting the McKenzie Senior Center members and local community with vegetables and knowledge about growing your own food. As a UT Extension Master Gardener Volunteer, Mrs. Ibarra stated, “sharing the garden experience and the beef also aligns with the mission of the Tennessee Master Gardener Program to improve the lives of Tennesseeans by promoting individual and community health and environmental stewardship.”

“The timing of this gift could not be at a better moment,” stated Saudia Akin, Executive Director of United Neighbors. “We are seeing more families in need of food this year, and we often run out of food by the end of the month. Providing this local source of protein is an incredible gift to our clientele in need.”

United Neighbors, located on 2455 Cedar Avenue in downtown McKenzie, will be offering food boxes to anybody in need on Wednesday, October 4th at 5pm.

The Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based out of Martin, TN with a mission to serve as a catalyst for a thriving and equitable local food system that is accessible to ALL in Northwest Tennessee.

We hope you can join us for next year’s Northwest Tennessee #GrowFoodChallenge. Learn more at nwtnlfn.org/grow-food-challenge.

The #GrowFoodChallenge is paid for through a #SeedMoney Grant with the following generous seed donors; Society of St. Andrews, Sow True Seed, Ferry Morse Company, Cooperative Gardens Commission; and the following prize donors: Discovery Park of America, Greenway Nursery, Tractor Supply Company, Walmart, Bamboozle, the TN Environmental Council, Rural King and NB Beef Company.

July 12, 2023July 17, 2023

Grow Food Challenge Winner Announced and Hunger Relief Guide Published

Doubling the amount last year, this year 105 participants registered, impacting a total of 609 individuals, families, and childcare centers, including 338 children from five (9) Northwest Tennessee Counties: Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Henry, Lake, Obion, and Weakley, TN.

The McKenzie Senior Center from Carroll County, TN was announced as the grand prize winner! They won a chest freezer to include a quarter processed beef from NB Beef Company out of Sharon, TN.

“We are thankful for the opportunity to partner with NWTN Local Food Network to provide this type of offering. Eat local and Eat beef!” – Justin Burlison

These gifts keep on giving because, as a collective decision, the McKenzie Senior Citizens Center will be donating their freezer full of beef to United Neighbors, a local food pantry in Carroll County, TN.

“We have been serving our community’s seniors since 1963 with a total 82 active annual members today,” stated Carol Armpriest, President of the McKenzie Senior Citizens Center. “We decided to donate our grand prize to United Neighbors because they could use a freezer full of local beef for their clientele in our community. It aligns with the activities the Local Food Network is promoting in the #GrowFoodChallenge – provide your extra food to others who are in need.”