LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, along with Arkansas’ six Feeding America food banks (Arkansas Food Bank, North Central Arkansas Food Bank, Northeast Arkansas Food Bank, Harvest Regional Food Bank, Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and River Valley Regional Food Bank) are concerned by the findings of Feeding America’s latest “Map the Meal Gap” report, released on Wednesday, May 15. The report highlights a 20% increase in food insecurity across Arkansas and a 26.7% increase in child food insecurity compared to the previous “Map the Meal Gap” report released last year.
New data reveals that thousands of Arkansans are struggling to have enough food. According to the report, 567,110 people in Arkansas are food insecure, for a food insecurity rate of 18.6%. Additionally, 168,430 children in Arkansas are food insecure, for a child food insecurity rate of 24.2%. While the increase in food insecurity in Arkansas is alarming, it is important to note that it is below the national average increase rate of 30%.
“Our mission is more important than ever,” said Sylvia Blaine, CEO of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. “The rise in food insecurity in Arkansas, especially among children, is a cause for concern, and we remain committed to working with our partner food banks to solve food insecurity in Arkansas.”
The coalition and its member agencies work closely to increase enrollment rates for WIC and SNAP benefits to ensure eligible families have access to these important nutrition assistance programs. SNAP is Arkansas’ first line of defense against hunger, yet many Arkansans who are eligible for benefits never apply.
Additionally, the Alliance is partnering with local Feeding America food banks in Arkansas to provide support and explore new ways to meet the growing demand for food assistance. Together, we support efforts to make nutritious meals more accessible to children year-round, including school breakfasts and lunches, after-school and summer meals, innovative summer meal delivery programs in rural areas, and a new Summer EBT program that provides $120 in grocery benefits to eligible students experiencing hunger during school closures. These important programs work together to reduce food insecurity in our communities and ensure every child in Arkansas gets the nutrition they need every day to thrive.
With a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs across the country, Feeding America is the largest domestic hunger relief organization in the United States. The Map the Meal Gap report is an annual study that provides detailed information on food insecurity across the United States. The data presented in the latest report reflects information from the previous year, specifically 2022. This timeline allows for the complete collection, analysis, and compilation of data from various sources across the country. By ensuring accuracy and reliability, the report provides a comprehensive snapshot of food insecurity in the United States. It provides insight into the number of people facing hunger, the demographics of those affected, and the gap between available resources and the needs of food insecure individuals and families.
