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Saturday, November 14, 2026Nov 14

Tennessee college students grapple with food insecurity

Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Different meats are seen in a freezer Nov. 7 at Chattanooga Area Food Bank's Foxwood Food Center.
Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Different meats are seen in a freezer Nov. 7 at Chattanooga Area Food Bank's Foxwood Food Center.


A large percentage of students across university campuses in Tennessee are asking the same question: Where will my next meal come from?

And the figures are staggering.

According to a report from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, an estimated 30% of Tennessee college students experience food insecurity at some point in their college careers.

That figure — one that’s above the national average — did not sit well with Tennessee state Rep. Michael Hale.