Project IRIS

Project IRIS is a community‑driven initiative focused on supporting residents living in food deserts by expanding access to nutritious, reliable food sources. The project repurposes surplus food from local restaurants into ready‑to‑use meal kits that are distributed through partner food banks, while also planning to establish its own network of refrigerated food pantries to safely store perishable items. Project IRIS currently operates a pantry at the University of Memphis and is collaborating with local government, churches, mosques, and other community institutions to secure land for community gardens that will provide fresh produce directly to underserved neighborhoods.