Battlefield Farm & Gardens will host its second annual Overall Ball, presented by CIC Services, from 6:15 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum. The sold-out event brings together neighbors, supporters, community leaders and business partners to celebrate the organization’s food justice work in East Knoxville.
Most of the proceeds will support The ONE FIVE, the community grocery store Battlefield Farm & Gardens is opening at 2265 McCalla Ave. The store takes its name from the 37915 ZIP code, which includes areas the USDA classifies as low-income and low-access to grocery stores. Many families there rely on convenience stores or travel across town for fresh groceries. Limited access to fresh food is linked to higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
The campaign is nearing the halfway mark of its $1.5 million goal, which it aims to reach by December 2027. Construction is proposed to begin in January 2027, with the store opening proposed for September 2027.
“Your neighborhood shouldn’t dictate anyone’s access to fresh, affordable and healthy food,” said Pastor Chris Battle, founder of Battlefield Farm & Gardens. “For families without a car, buying groceries can mean hours on the bus or paying for a ride across town. The ONE FIVE brings fresh produce and affordable groceries right here into the neighborhood, so families no longer have to leave East Knoxville to put healthy food on the table.”
Hallerin Hilton Hill, a longtime Knoxville radio voice, author and speaker, will join other community leaders as a celebrity ice cream scooper, serving ice cream from Central Creamery. Friends BBQ will cater dinner.
CIC Services is the presenting sponsor. Additional support comes from UT Medical Center, Garza Law Firm, KUB, UT Federal Credit Union, Wellpoint, The Point, Southeast Capital, DGA Residential, Knox County Community Gardens & Growers Alliance, Wallace Real Estate, First Horizon Bank, Erin Hall’s Edward Jones Office, LHP Capital, oysk3 architects and Real Good Kitchen.
Event Details
When: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, 6:15–9 p.m. (cocktail hour and dinner at 7 p.m. Program will begin shortly after)
Where: Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, 2743 Wimpole Ave., Knoxville, TN 37914
Tickets: Sold out
About Battlefield Farm & Gardens
Founded in 2019 and led by Pastor Chris Battle, Battlefield Farm & Gardens grows food and community in East Knoxville. Its work includes The ONE FIVE, a community grocery store at 2265 McCalla Ave.
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