A new study conducted by the federal department of agriculture, or the USDA, has identified Arkansas as the most food insecure state in the country. With almost 20% of the state lacking resources to feed their household, Arkansas has a significantly higher rate of hunger than the national average of 12%.

There is a food desert in every county in Arkansas. What’s a food desert? According to the USDA, it’s a term used to describe a region with a large number of households facing low incomes, inadequate access to transportation and a limited number of food retailers providing fresh, affordable produce. In a rural state like Arkansas, these types of areas are common to find. And while residents may be growing food in these farming-driven communities, CEO of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance’s Sylvia Blain said the food isn’t for the farmers.

"So, we're an agricultural state," Blain said. "We export a lot of our food, but we're not necessarily growing fresh fruits and vegetables for our communities. So that's one of the reasons you have this level of food insecurity and food deserts in an agricultural state. So that's two different things, the agricultural products and then having fresh fruits and vegetables for your community. But across the board, you know, Arkansas has a high poverty rate, and so along with that comes a lack of transportation, a lack of access to a lot of the resources that we might need, and the inability to gain those resources for yourself. So you know, the root causes are varied."

Food desert elimination grant combats food insecurity in Arkansas

UA Cossatot was recently awarded a $64,000 Blue & You Foundation Grant to provide hunger relief and hygiene items for students in need.

The grant will aid UA Cossatot’s Center for Student Success’s food pantries and supplies closet, located on three of their four campuses in Sevier, Howard, and Little River counties.

“Food insecurity and lack of resources on college campuses across America is a growing problem, and within the Center for Student Success, we want to do all that we can to alleviate hunger locally and meet these needs. We want students to come to college and focus solely on their academics and not where their next meal may come from,” said Erika Buenrrostro, Director of Student Success and Enrichment. “We are excited that UA Cossatot was chosen to receive this grant that will greatly benefit our students.”

The Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas announced Wednesday that 47 grants are being awarded in 2023 to public schools, universities and nonprofit groups in Arkansas totaling $3.38 million. The grants will directly impact each of the state’s 75 counties, funding projects focused on:

· Behavioral health resources

· Social determinants of health

· Maternal and pediatric health needs

· Health equity

· Whole person health

· Medical condition innovation

“These grants will fund dozens of projects touching Arkansans all over the state — from supporting the Arkansas Suicide Prevention Hotline to providing recreational therapy to youth aging out of foster care, the 2023 grants will impact Arkansans in a powerful way.” said Rebecca Pittillo, executive director of the Blue & You Foundation. “The organizations that we have funded are focused on improving the lives of people in our communities, which is also our goal at the Blue & You Foundation.”

For more information, contact Erika Buenrrostro at 870-584-1133 or ebuenrrostro@cccua.edu