Nashville, Tenn. — Titans linebacker Will Witherspoon knows healthy eating leads to healthy living.
Extremely conscious of the importance of sustainable food practices, the 11-year NFL veteran owns and operates his own grass-fed and environmentally friendly beef farm, Shire Gate.
"It's not always easy to eat properly," Witherspoon said. "When I became a professional athlete, I really began to understand what goes into our food. We have to be educated about what we're putting into our bodies.
Wanting to bring awareness to sustainable food practices and support for area youth to receive a proper balanced meal, Witherspoon created and hosted an event on Monday called "Farm to Table."
The event incorporated local chefs and farmers together to create a unique dining experience to educate patrons on sustainable food and healthier living. Witherspoon admits that he'd like to start educating a younger audience and that's why the funds raised from "Farm to Table" will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank's Children's Feeding Programs.
"I think Will is on a unique mission in life by bringing sustainable farming practices to individuals who can't afford or access healthy nutritional food," said Tasha Kennard, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee's VP of Communication & Marketing. "By partnering with the food bank, it sends a clear message Second Harvest Food Bank cares about kids who do not have access to nutritional food and to prove it is not as inaccessible as people think."
"Farm to Table" served a blend of food all locally raised and/or grown. The menu was a seven-course dinner which included a kale salad, braised rabbit and lamb burgers all grown and raised in the local area.
"One in four children in Tennessee goes to bed hungry and that's an appalling figure," Witherspoon said. "To have an event like this is just the start of where I want to be and what I want it to become. The turnout has been amazing and a lot people are here for the right reasons, understanding what (Farm to Table) is about and learning at the same time."
About Second Harvest Food Bank:
Organized in 1978, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is a private, not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization. Second Harvest's mission is to feed hungry people and work to solve hunger issues in our community. Second Harvest distributes food and other products to approximately 400 nonprofit partner agencies in 46 counties in Middle and West Tennessee. Our partners include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, childcare facilities, senior centers, group homes, and youth enrichment programs. For more information on Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and its programs, please visit www.secondharvestmidtn.org.
