Hello everyone!
My name is Atleana Murrell! I am a first-year student from Memphis, TN, majoring in Public Affairs with a minor in Public Health. I will be starting off our series of individual stories, where you will be able to get to know more about each of us and our connections to the mission of Battlefield Farm.
I am a firm believer that food is more than just nourishment for the body. It can also serve as an emotional connection to joy, love, and memories. In this series, my group and I will be sharing moments where nutritious food has shown up and served as a reminder of some of our favorite, most meaningful memories.
Today, I wanted to share one of my core memories: a birthday picnic that I shared with the people that mean the most to me. My birthday falls within the peak of summertime, so the weather was perfect for a day of fun outside. The picnic was filled with some of my most favorite people and things: my loved ones, painting, a beautiful view of Shelby Farms Park, and fresh fruit. It was the perfect way to celebrate my birthday while taking advantage of the opportunity to get outside and connect with nature. We enjoyed the scenery and activities without any distraction of cell phones or social media. This called for us to tap into our individual creativity, which led us to paint an array of different images such as flowers and landscapes. It was so fun to witness my loved ones immerse themselves in one of my favorite hobbies. This day was filled with love and laughter, while we shared food such as bowls of two of the best fruits (in my opinion): freshly cut pineapple and sweet, refreshing watermelon, which was perfect for the summer heat. Those specific fruits always remind me of summer, which is my absolute favorite time of the year. Some of my favorite memories have always landed in the summer, such as trips with my loving family, my birthday celebrations, time to pour into my hobbies outside of school, and other spontaneous excursions that I get to embark on. Fresh produce has always shown up during these memorable moments, and served as a refreshing part of each experience.
Looking back, it wasn't just a picnic, but also a moment where fresh food, nature, and connection came together to create a meaningful experience that still resonates with me to this day. This realization is why I connect so strongly with the work and mission of Battlefield Farm. Through initiatives such as the Mobile Grocery Store, they stand committed to making fresh produce accessible for all. I believe that everyone deserves this same access to fresh produce. This is why as Bus 4 Better Health, we are working to get others involved in this mission. We hope that you will join us in the fight to provide all Knoxville residents the opportunity to enjoy fresh fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods year-round.
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