Arkansas most food insecure state in the nation, USDA reports

ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — According to reports from the United States Department of Agriculture, Arkansas is the most food insecure state in the nation.

The report states that 18.9% of households in Arkansas fall under the ‘low or very low food security’ category, while the national average sits at 12.2%.

According to Samaritan Community Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to “serving the hurting and hungry,” the issue is impacting more people in the Northwest Arkansas area than you may realize.

Debbie Rambo, executive director of the Samaritan Community Center, says on an average day at the center in Rogers, volunteers spend time packing and serving meals to those in need.

“We see about 80 families who come in to get food from our food pantry, and we serve about 350 meals. We also provide snack packs through the schools in Northwest Arkansas to almost 6,000 children every week,” Rambo said.

However, the issue of food insecurity is not specific to Rogers, but it is a region-wide issue.

“The number of children on free and reduced lunch in Springdale, I think, it’s well over 70% of the kids. That really is a good indicator of the need for struggling families here in Northwest Arkansas,” Rambo said.

Rambo says the center has seen a great increase in need this year.

“If you compare last year to this year, we have seen about a 56% increase over this same time last year,” Rambo said.

Rambo says the Samaritan Center is taking a comprehensive approach when it comes to combatting the issue by offering things like a farm-to-table garden, which allows people to learn how to utilize fresh foods.

“We grow a lot of fresh food that we’re able to distribute through our food pantry and also use in making meals in our cafe,” Rambo said.

“A lack of access to fresh, healthy foods can contribute to poor diets and higher levels of obesity and other diet-related diseases,” the USDA says.

Additionally, Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance says its “network of six Feeding America member food banks, along with over 500 affiliated pantries and organizations, is dedicated to ensuring that all Arkansans have access to nutritious food.”

Samaritan Community Center offers free meals on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at its locations in Rogers and Springdale. More information can be found here .

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