Food And Nutrition…Number one Barrier To Self Sufficiency In Northeast Tennessee

Food and nutrition services is now the number one barrier that impedes the achievement of self sufficiency for residents in East Tennessee. According to the Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency’s 2020 Community Assessment which details those challenges and barriers to self sufficiency, food and nutrition jumped from fifth to the number one…mostly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report also indicated younger age groups were most affected by COVID-19 because they were most likely to be in service jobs that were heavily affected by the pandemic and the economic downturn. Headquartered in Kingsport, UETHDA has been providing the tools, education, and support for a better life for over 50 years to residents in the eight county service area.