Little Rock, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, along with the Arkansas Department of Health, honored the recipients of the Arkansas Minority Health Commission’s (AMHC) Food Desert Elimination grant program. These grants are designed to address the pressing issue of food deserts across the state, ensuring that all Arkansans have access to healthy, affordable food.
Combatting Food Insecurity in Arkansas
Governor Sanders emphasized the importance of tackling food insecurity, a top priority for her administration. “Every Arkansan deserves to have healthy, affordable food available in their neighborhood,” she said. Highlighting the state’s commitment to this cause, Sanders noted, “I’ve tasked my administration with combatting food insecurity and was proud to sign our state up for the Summer EBT program, which fills critical gaps for households during the summer months. These grants will help us address Arkansas’ food deserts and fight food insecurity, one of my administration’s top goals.”
Innovative Solutions to Food Deserts
The Arkansas Department of Health, in collaboration with various community organizations, is working to make nutritious food more accessible. Secretary of Health, Renee Mallory, expressed pride in the partnerships formed to tackle this issue. “The Arkansas Department of Health is proud to partner with communities, non-profits, and local government organizations to improve nutrition and find new ways to make healthy food more accessible and affordable,” she said.
Kenya Eddings, Director of the Arkansas Minority Health Commission, echoed this sentiment, noting that “Reducing food insecurity and increasing access to healthy food is not one-size-fits-all. The recipients of these inaugural grants will work towards improving the physical, mental, and emotional impacts of food insecurity in the communities they serve. This, in turn, improves the overall health of all Arkansans.”
Grant Program Details
The AMHC’s Food Desert Elimination grant program provides up to $10,000 to community-based, faith-based, and non-profit organizations working to eliminate food deserts. These funds can be used for community needs assessments, focus groups, technical assistance, and other initiatives aimed at improving access to healthy food in underserved areas.
Recipients of the Food Desert Elimination Grants
Several groups across Arkansas received grants as part of this initiative:
- The City of Pine Bluff will explore the socioeconomic factors that contribute to food deserts in Pine Bluff, aiming to develop a comprehensive understanding of the issue.
- Innovative Community Concepts in Pulaski County plans to implement mobile market “pop-up” shops. These pop-ups will assess the feasibility and consumer response to a mobile grocery unit in four Little Rock council districts identified as food deserts.
- McElroy House in Yell County will develop a Seed Sharing and Seed Tending program. Partnering with the local food pantry, Sharing and Caring, they will construct raised bed gardens and expand bilingual gardening models. Additionally, they will distribute a bilingual “local foods calendar” to inform residents about events offering locally-grown produce.
- UA Division of Agriculture in Jefferson County will focus on growing and strengthening community gardens in Jefferson County’s food deserts. The initiative will involve increased working and harvesting activities at community garden sites by master gardeners and local community members.
Ongoing Efforts to Support Arkansas Families
In addition to these grants, Governor Sanders highlighted other initiatives aimed at reducing food insecurity. Earlier this year, Arkansas launched the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program, providing families with $120 per eligible school-aged child to purchase groceries during the summer months. The Governor also signed legislation ensuring free breakfast and lunch for students who previously qualified for reduced meals.
These efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure that no Arkansan goes hungry, particularly in areas most affected by food deserts. By supporting local initiatives and providing critical funding, the state is making strides toward a healthier future for all its residents.
