KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— In light of the current economic conditions, Knoxville Zoo has decided to delay indefinitely a planned change to its food and beverage policy and will now continue to allow visitors to bring in food and drinks from outside the zoo. The change, which was originally slated to go into effect August 1, 2009, would have banned coolers, lunch bags or boxes and beverages from being brought into the zoo. Zoo officials say the current food and beverage policy, which allows these items, will continue until further notice.

“The decision to no longer allow outside food and beverages was a difficult one,” says Jim Vlna, executive director of Knoxville Zoo. “Unfortunately, just like everyone else, the downturn in the economy has forced us to find new ways to generate revenue. However, we realize that changing our policy in the current economy is simply not the right thing to do, so we’re postponing any changes. School field trips are already difficult for many schools and parents to afford. Buying lunches would be an even greater hardship.”

Knoxville Zoo suffered a near record deficit for 2008. Although the City of Knoxville provided the zoo with nearly 12% of the zoo’s operating funds and Knox County community grants provided 1.3%, the zoo still earned more than 86% of its operating funds through zoo admissions, memberships, food and gift sales and other revenue producing sales activities.

“The zoo has tried unsuccessfully to find a sponsor for school field trips in past years. We will, however, continue these efforts in the future. I hope someone in the community will help us by funding school field trips in Knox and perhaps other school districts,” states zoo director Vlna.

Knoxville Zoo is located off exit 392A from Interstate 40 and is open every day except Christmas Day. The zoo is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is committed to the highest standards in animal care and well-being, ethics, conservation, and education. Beginning May 25, the zoo is open everyday from 9:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Admission and ticket sales stop one hour before the zoo closes. Next-day admission is free after 3 p.m. For more information, please call 865.637.5331 ext. 300 or visit www.knoxville-zoo.org