The Mustard Seed Ranch (Knoxville)

Food Assistance · Tennessee · Free

Knoxville nonprofit offering free food distribution, community meals, and grocery assistance to families in need across East Tennessee. Programs include regular pantry distributions and community meal events. Clients should call ahead to confirm current distribution days, times, and any ID or address verification requirements. The organization also connects families to additional Knoxville-area resources for emergency assistance, clothing, and other basic needs.

Contact & Details

Address: Knoxville, TN

Phone: 865-522-7473

Hours: Distribution days vary

About Food Assistance for Fathers

Food assistance programs for US fathers and families include SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children — which serves custodial fathers of children under 5), the National School Lunch Program, food banks through the Feeding America network, and Meals on Wheels. SNAP is administered state-by-state; eligibility is generally based on household income below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. Food banks operate in every state and are the fastest way to access food without an application — most require no ID or income verification for initial visits. TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) supplies food banks with USDA commodities. Summer Food Service Programs feed children during school breaks. This directory includes each state's SNAP office, regional food bank networks, and WIC clinics.

Food Assistance in Tennessee

Tennessee circuit and chancery courts hear family matters in each of its 31 judicial districts, with some counties operating juvenile courts for unmarried-parent custody. Tennessee Child Support Services operates under DHS. Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga are the major metros. Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Memphis Area Legal Services, and West Tennessee Legal Services cover the state.

More Food Assistance in Tennessee

  • Tennessee SNAP — Tennessee's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program providing monthly benefits on an EBT card for eligible low-income residents to purchas
  • Tennessee WIC Program — Provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and supplemental food benefits to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children un
  • Mid-South Food Bank (Memphis) — Serves West Tennessee and the Mid-South region through a network of 300+ partner agencies including food pantries, soup kitchens, and social
  • Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee (Knoxville) — Serves 18 East Tennessee counties through a network of partner agencies including food pantries, meal programs, and community organizations,
  • Chattanooga Area Food Bank — Serves 20 counties in the Chattanooga region through 250+ partner agencies including food pantries, soup kitchens, after-school meal program
  • Tennessee 2-1-1 - Food Assistance — Free statewide helpline available 24/7 connecting Tennessee residents to nearby food pantries, hot meal programs, SNAP enrollment sites, and

Food Assistance — Common Questions

How do I apply for SNAP?
Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.
Can I use a food bank without applying?
Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.
Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?
Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
What is summer food service?
USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.