Community Efforts to Combat Food Deserts in Chattanooga

Chattanooga, Tennessee, October 5, 2025

News Summary

Chattanooga residents and local non-profits, like SEED, are collaborating to address food accessibility issues heightened by grocery store closures. SEED’s community garden initiative aims to educate locals about gardening and healthy eating. With impending food scarcity exacerbated by the closure of the Food City grocery store, these community-oriented solutions are critical for residents facing limited nutritional options.

Chattanooga, Tennessee is witnessing a concerted effort by local non-profits and community members to address the issue of food deserts exacerbated by recent grocery store closures. One such organization, SEED, aims to unite the community through education on food deserts and gardening initiatives.

On Saturday, SEED held a soft launch event at the Jessie Igou Center, where residents collaborated on the establishment of a community garden. This garden features a wide variety of produce, including sage, watermelon, and peppers, designed to provide accessible and healthy food options for local residents. SEED not only focuses on planting and harvesting techniques but also educates community members on the cooking aspects of using fresh produce.

Rebecca Love, a co-founder of SEED, stresses the importance of healthy eating within the community and highlights the need for continuous efforts to improve food accessibility. SEED is planning to host additional events throughout Chattanooga leading up to a hard launch in January 2026, with the goal of further engaging community members in these critical initiatives.

One of the driving factors behind these community efforts is the imminent closure of the Food City grocery store located on Chickamauga Avenue, set to occur on November 3, due to an unrenewed lease agreement. This grocery store has been a local staple since 2008, and its closure has raised concerns among long-time shoppers. The nearest alternative Food City locations are positioned approximately 3 to 5 miles away, a significant distance for many residents who rely on walking for their grocery shopping needs.

The area surrounding the Food City store has been classified as a food desert by the USDA, indicating limited access to grocery stores for local residents. Jazmine LeBlanc, owner of a nearby bookstore, notes that the closure will diminish foot traffic and compound the existing food desert status in the neighborhood. Many local residents are already facing health issues associated with a lack of access to nutritious food, raising further alarm within the community.

Chattanooga City Council member Marvene Noel has indicated a concerning pattern of grocery store closures in predominantly Black and brown neighborhoods. Noel advocates for better access to nutritious food options and is calling for incentives to attract grocery stores or mobile markets to fill the gaps resulting from such closures.

The area’s median income, approximately $48,000 for a two-person household, falls below average for Chattanooga, and the average commute for Rossville residents is significantly longer when compared to the city’s average. In response to food accessibility challenges, community gardens and smaller local stores have been introduced to serve residents more effectively.

An example of a successful initiative is the Farm at The Bethlehem Center, which has received a nationwide grant to combat food desert issues by cultivating produce for the community. The center aims to supply fresh produce to clients of its food pantry and those who visit for groceries. Further innovative measures, such as Bingo’s Market and the YMCA’s Mobile Market, have been implemented to offer healthy food options for residents who typically have limited access to nutritious food.

As grocery store closures continue to impact food accessibility, local organizations, including SEED and others, are striving to ensure that healthy food remains available to those affected by food deserts in Chattanooga.

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Additional Resources

• News Channel 9: Chattanooga Non-Profit SEED Tackles Food Deserts
• Times Free Press: Food City to Close Rossville Store in November
• Local 3 News: Rossville Food City Announces Closing
• Wikipedia: Food Desert
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Desert

Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER

The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.