Fentress County Executive Jacob Rosenbaum joining the advisory board for the Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee to address localized food shortages.
The new leadership appointment places a direct local advocate inside the regional non-profit network as rising economic factors strain household grocery budgets. Rosenbaum said he hopes to secure resources for rural families struggling to afford basic provisions.
“Food insecurity is a real problem not just in the upper Cumberland or in Tennessee, but in the United States,” Rosenbaum said. “Rampant inflation has led to the rising cost of food. And so that’s why it’s always been important to support organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank, but now it’s more important than ever.”
The county leader stepped into the vacancy to maintain regional influence after the seat was left open by his predecessor.
“It makes sure that the larger regional organizations know what’s going on. I sit on a number of regional boards,” Rosenbaum said. “Within every county structure, the county executive sort of by design sits at the nexus of all local happenings. And so you’re ideally placed to communicate your community’s needs to the regional and state level, and it’s a good way to do business.”
The Maryville-headquartered organization already operates routine stops on the plateau, with future distribution schedules tied to regional cargo availability.
“I look forward to a number of events in the coming months and years, and I have every confidence that they’re going to come up here as much as their supply will allow,” Rosenbaum said.
Residents or civic groups interested in volunteering for local food drops can contact the county executive’s office at (931) 879-7713 for coordination.