Today Muse Knoxville held a ribbon cutting for its newest interactive exhibit, Mini Food City. Mini Food City is part of the museum’s Live Smart, Stay Well exhibit area and is designed to foster hands-on learning while promoting healthy habits and life skills. Inside Mini Food City, children can shop for healthy foods, fill their baskets, and check out at the register—all while learning through play in this engaging, hands-on space. The exhibit is designed to encourage imagination, teamwork, early math skills, and nutritional awareness in a fun, interactive setting.

“Food City is proud to partner with Muse Knoxville to create the new Mini Food City exhibit, which will provide a fun-filled, interactive, and educational experience for children throughout our region,” said Katie Penny, Executive Vice President of Store Operations for Food City’s Knoxville Division.

“Siddiqi Charitable Foundation is proud to support the healthy food education and signage within Mini Food City,” said Heetesh Patel, CEO, Siddiqi Charitable Foundation. “By helping children recognize and choose nutritious options through play, we hope to inspire lifelong habits that support health and well-being for families across our community.”

“At First Horizon, we believe financial literacy begins with learning how to make everyday choices,” said Jim Atchley, Knoxville Market President for First Horizon. “Engaging kids through interactive play not only builds essential life skills but also sparks curiosity for healthy habits and smart decision-making. We are proud to partner with Muse Knoxville and Food City to inspire our youngest minds to learn and grow through hands-on experiences.”

Muse Knoxville is honored to partner with Food City, the Siddiqi Foundation, and First Horizon Foundation to bring this vibrant exhibit to life. “Mini Food City is a wonderful example of what’s possible when strong partnerships come together to invest in children,” said Allison Comer, President & CEO of Muse Knoxville. “Through imaginative play, kids can explore healthy foods, practice grocery shopping, and build life skills that support their well-being — all thanks to the collaboration of community partners who believe in learning through play.”

Ribbon Cutting photo left to right:

Katie Mixon – Vice President of Advancement, Muse Knoxville

Jim Atchley – Knoxville Market President, First Horizon 

Betsi James – Special Events Manager, Food City

Allison Comer – President & CEO, Muse Knoxville

Heetesh Patel – CEO, Siddiqi Charitable Foundation  

Lee Robinson - Vice President of Education & Exhibits, Muse Knoxville

About Muse Knoxville

Muse Knoxville is a nonprofit children’s science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) museum dedicated to inspiring and empowering all children through transformative learning experiences. Founded in 1960 as the Student’s Museum – later the East Tennessee Discovery Center and now Muse Knoxville – the organization serves more than 140,000 children and caregivers annually through its museum, outreach programs, and school partnerships.

About Food City®

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 161 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, north Georgia, and Alabama.