The Rooted East Collective addresses food apartheid in Knoxville, TN within the 37915 area code—a predominately Black and low-income community. The collaborative collective confronts the limitations imposed by decades of food apartheid by making fresh produce, necessity-related transportation, and food education available to all interested residents through the innovative model. The collective is designed to target the current inequities caused by food apartheid by addressing mental and physical wellness, access to fresh produce, food and nutrition education, and community health awareness.

During the panel discussion, we will highlight our collaborative efforts with other grassroots organizations to sustain the East Knoxville community through the Kwanzaa principle: "Ujima" which is collective work and responsibility

Femeika Elliott, Laila Malik, Thomas Ruggles, Kalil White of Rooted East