The Little Rock-based nonprofit Well Fed has been providing locally grown produce, meat, and dairy to 800 low-income families in Central Arkansas for the past two years through the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program. However, the federally funded program, along with the similar Local Food for Schools initiative, is set to end soon, leaving many families and farmers in Arkansas uncertain about the future.
The termination of the program has raised concerns about the economic impact on low-income families who rely on the fresh food provided by organizations like Well Fed. Without this program, access to fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products may be limited for those who need it most.
Farmers who participated in the program have also expressed worries about losing a significant source of income and market access. Organizations like Spring Creek Food Hub, which helped connect local farmers with buyers, are now facing uncertainty and potential downsizing due to the program’s end.
While some food banks in Arkansas are committed to finding alternative funding sources to support local farmers and provide fresh food to communities, others are bracing for the impact of the program’s termination. The loss of the Local Food Purchase Assistance program will not only affect the availability of nutritious food but also has the potential to impact local agriculture and jobs in the area.
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