TNLF 2024 Annual Report
Our 2024 Annual Report celebrates record-breaking achievements—from expanded educational programs and strengthened community partnerships to vital relief for farmers in need.
Learn how we’re building a more resilient, sustainable future for local food and join us as we prepare for an exciting year ahead.
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OUR MISSION
OUR STORY
Tennessee Local Food was founded in 2010 by organic farmer Jeff Poppen to promote sustainable farming and strengthen our local food system. For over a decade, it has been a hub for education and collaboration, uniting farmers, food advocates, and community leaders.
Recognizing that fresh, healthy food is a basic right, we have worked to connect consumers with local farmers, advocate for sustainable agriculture, and foster a food system that benefits our economy, environment, and people.
In 2022, we transitioned from an annual event to a year-round nonprofit, expanding our role in Tennessee’s food movement.
WHO WE ARE
We are a bridge-building organization supporting a regenerative local food system through education, resources, and meaningful connections.
This shift enables us to strengthen supply chains through programming focused on coordinated crop production while advancing sustainable agriculture and farm viability through workshops, community conversations, demonstrations, and field days.
Now, we are at a pivotal moment of growth. As our impact expands, so does the need for greater organizational capacity to support our events, programs, and critical food system work.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to strengthening Tennessee’s farming heritage and ensuring a resilient, accessible, and equitable food system for all.
From Our Executive Director
This year marked unprecedented growth and transformation. As we approach our third anniversary as a 501(c)(3), we are deeply grateful for the community that fuels our work.
With your support, we expanded our team, welcoming a Communications & Development Manager to strengthen outreach and fundraising efforts. In collaboration with like-minded organizations, we hosted more educational events than ever, addressing critical issues in food and agriculture.
Our 14th annual TN Local Food Summit set new milestones, from statewide partnerships to record scholarship offerings, connecting more farmers and advocates than ever before. We also advanced our Farmer Relief Fund, fortifying its long-term sustainability to support growers facing extreme weather challenges.
Across Tennessee, our work continues to catalyze partnerships that build a stronger, more localized food system—one that uplifts small and mid-size farmers while expanding access to fresh, local food.
As we step into 2025, we remain focused, determined, and hopeful for the future of food in Tennessee and beyond.
“With the strength of our community, we expanded our reach, deepened our partnerships, and took meaningful steps toward a more resilient, localized food system in TN.”
