Arkansas' United Front Against Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is a critical issue affecting the health and well-being of communities across the nation, and Arkansas is no exception. Lack of access to nutritious foods is known to cause adverse health outcomes, with implications that stretch far beyond hunger relief itself. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Arkansas Minority Health Commission (AMHC) is making strides toward addressing food insecurity with innovative solutions and partnerships that pave the way for a healthier future.

“A few years ago, we were fortunate to serve on former Governor Asa Hutchinson’s Food Desert Work Group and the City of Little Rock’s Food Desert Task Force. At the conclusion of the Work Group, Governor Sanders supported the Commission hosting our inaugural Arkansas Food Desert Summit in 2023,” says Kenya Eddings, Director of AMHC. The Summit allowed the opportunity for nationwide organizations working to combat food insecurity to share successes and challenges with over 100 attendees.

The ADH-AMHC focuses on food insecurity because they understand the connection between hunger and health outcomes in our communities. The physical, mental, and emotional impacts are well-documented.

“Food insecurity is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and high cholesterol as well as mental and emotional challenges,” Kenya says. “Food insecurity may also lead to low test scores and increased disciplinary action in school-aged children.”

The Role Providers Play

Adults affected by food insecurity may be reluctant to apply for assistance due to pride, citizenship status, or fear of judgment. This stigma may prevent families from seeking information and resources available to prevent or reduce food insecurity. Additionally, according to Feeding America, nearly 50% of people facing hunger are unlikely to qualify for SNAP because they are above the income eligibility threshold.

Because patients often confide in healthcare providers for knowledge and recommendations, encouraging food-insecure individuals to seek help may reduce the stigma associated with food insecurity. Hospitals and clinics can take clinical and non-clinical approaches offered by the American Hospital Association to help food-insecure patients get the resources they need:

• Screen patients for food insecurity
• Educate patients about available public assistance
• Refer patients and families to local community resources
• Connect patients and families with dieticians and nutritionists
• Provide free food and healthy snacks in the clinic or on-site pantries
• Host summer or annual food programs, community kitchens, etc.
• Enlist patients in free, on-site education/cooking classes
• Promote existing resources, such as food trucks, food pantries, and soup kitchens
• Support and fund the development of grocery stores and farmers' markets

Partnerships that Make an Impact

To address the multifaceted issues surrounding food insecurity, the ADH-AMHC has been actively engaged with both the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and the UAMS Culinary Medicine Teaching Kitchen.

“Our partnership with the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance has afforded us the opportunity to not only cohost the Arkansas Food Desert Summit, the College Hunger Summit, and, most recently, the ‘Learn More at the Grocery Store’ events.”

The College Hunger Summit resulted in 15 Arkansas colleges learning about healthy eating and smart shopping habits to practice while on a budget. The event provided funds to existing college food pantries and helped create pantries on campuses without them.

“Our work with the UAMS Culinary Medicine Teaching Kitchen has allowed us to co-host cooking demonstrations using our Southern Ain’t Fried Sundays recipes and offer free fresh produce at the 12^th Street substation in the heart of midtown Little Rock,” Kenya says. “These events have allowed us to interact with a cross-section of communities, all seeking to gain access to healthy food for themselves and their families.”

The ADH-AMHC has also launched independent initiatives to bolster hunger relief efforts across the state. “Most recently, we started the Food Desert Elimination grant program, targeting community and faith-based organizations, municipalities, and nonprofits in Jefferson, Pulaski, and Yell Counties,” Kenya says. The program aims to eliminate food deserts across Arkansas and ensure access to healthy food options in underserved areas.

There is Still Work to be Done

While statewide hunger relief efforts have helped eliminate food deserts across the state, according to the US Department of Agriculture, as of 2023, Arkansas has the highest prevalence of food insecurity in the nation at nearly 19%. Food deserts still exist in rural areas of our state. Transportation and access to healthy foods also play a large factor.

“We have found in our research that access to transportation is a major factor in food insecurity statewide,” Kenya says. “Although rates are more profound in the more rural parts of the state, some pockets of urban areas experience the same issues.”

“While the ADH-AMHC is honored to play a small part in helping address food insecurity, our work complements what Governor Sanders and her administration have implemented to address food insecurity,” Kenya explains.

The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) grocery benefits program, for example, provides families with $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries. State-funded programs go a long way toward helping fill existing gaps around the state. Governor Sanders also signed legislation to provide free breakfast and lunch to students who previously qualified for free and reduced-price meals. The State of Arkansas continues to work with stakeholders on a plan to address food insecurity statewide.

Statewide support is key to ensuring we reduce food insecurity in every corner of our state. Organizations not traditionally affiliated with hunger relief efforts still have an important role to play in donating, volunteering, and promoting innovative ideas. As healthcare professionals and providers, understanding the scope of this issue and supporting initiatives like those led by AMHC can contribute significantly to improving health outcomes and quality of life for Arkansans.

Show Your Support for AMHC and Other Hunger Relief Initiatives

For those looking to learn more about AMHC’s initiatives and how to get involved, Kenya encourages reaching out to AMHC directly. “The community can give us a call at 501.686.2720, at www.arminorityhealth.com, or follow us on our social media channels.”

There are many other ways we can show support. The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance website provides information about several statewide meal projects, food assistance resources, and other campaigns designed to increase access to food and teach low-income communities about healthy food choices. Additionally, the Arkansas Department of Human Services offers instructions for applying to public assistance programs.

Through education, advocacy, and direct action, the ADH-AMHC and its partners are not just addressing immediate needs but are laying the groundwork for sustainable change. Arkansas can effectively combat food insecurity and improve public health outcomes by engaging the entire community and leveraging the strength of collaboration. We still have a long way to go, but we each play a part in promoting and supporting innovative ideas that create healthy people, businesses, and communities.

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