1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

A large part of our health is determined by our environment. For generations, the impact of pollution and environmental damage has largely fallen on marginalized communities. Systemically racist policies have resulted in people of color having an increased likelihood of exposure to unsafe drinking water, lead paint in homes, and industrial waste. Today, we are looking at the environmental justice movement and the people of color pushing for change.

There are over 3.1 million Tennesseans who live in a food desert, including over 300,000 children. There are multiple food banks, local community gardens and others working to combat this issue of food insecurity. Watch this segment from WBIR Channel 10 Knoxville about local organizations who are trying to balance the food insecurity scale, including YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley. Also, check the areas that you live in by visiting the United States Department of Agriculture food desert map HERE.