Letter from the CEO
The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas' mission is to provide hunger relief to people in need by raising awareness, securing resources, and distributing food through a network of nonprofit agencies and programs. The advocacy work our team members engage in is one of the ways we live out our mission of raising awareness and securing resources.
In 2023, Congress began working on the next Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is a large, complex piece of legislation that deals with everything from conservation to nutrition programs to crop insurance. At the Food Bank, the Farm Bill has a large impact on our operations. On average, 25 percent of the food distributed by the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas is federal commodities obtained through programs authorized by the Farm Bill. These particular food items are among the most nutritious donated to our nation's charitable food system.
Beyond our Food Bank, a strong Farm Bill is a win for all Arkansans. Besides protecting our most vulnerable neighbors who depend on it for nutrition assistance, it will protect the farm families who grow the food our nation needs to be the strongest in the world. 
With Gratitude,
Christie Jordan
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program
In Northeast Arkansas, seniors are experiencing hunger at a staggering rate of 7.6% of the state’s population. For these seniors, the choice often comes down to essentials like groceries or medicine, groceries or rent, groceries or utilities. Recognizing this dire need, the Food Bank of Northeast 
Arkansas, alongside other local nonprofits, started the Senior Food Pantry Network. Through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and the Senior Food Pantry Network, the Food Bank provides much-needed support to seniors facing food insecurity. CSFP is an income-based program available to individuals over 60 years of age who need food assistance.
"It’s hard to find help with groceries when your rent is high and utilities are high as well. Falling on hard times, but the Food Bank helps when people need it most.”
- Anonymous Senior
Prior to the Senior Food Pantry Network, the Food Bank operated a Senior Pack program which served approximately 200 seniors each month at its peak. Through the Senior Food Pantry Program, the Food Bank can now serve more than 1,600 seniors every month. Each month, seniors receive a nutritionally-balanced food box along with nutrition education.
Thanks to programs such as CSFP and the Senior Food Pantry Network, Arkansas has made great strides in reducing senior food insecurity, now coming in at number 10 in the nation for food insecurity within the senior citizen community. While this number is shocking, it is a significant difference from 2014, when Arkansas ranked number 1 in the nation.
"As the USDA Coordinator, I’ve come
to quickly understand the unique and critical role the Commodity Supplemental Food Program has for our senior neighbors. While it’s always a privilege to get food into the hands of those who need it most (through our other USDA programs), I love that we get to see our CSFP neighbors at the Food Bank every month and build more meaningful connections with those we’re serving.”
- Natalie Neal, USDA Coordinator
Without the proper nutrition, seniors facing food insecurity are at a higher risk of health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and asthma. Food-insecure seniors are also two times more likely to suffer from depression. This is why CSFP is so important in our communities. The Bank recognizes that food is medicine to people facing hunger. The Senior Food Pantry Network helps seniors worry less about where their next meal will come from so they can focus more on their health. A complete list of Senior Food Pantries can be found here.
"I've had moments where I get angry and feel depressed because I am hungry. I am struggling a lot being on a set monthly income."
- Anonymous Senior
What brought you to the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas?
I’ve tremendously enjoyed working in the nonprofit sector over the last ten years and being able to marry my passion for helping others with my skills and administrative strengths. After completing my Masters in Public Administration program, I sought opportunities that would allow me to continue to grow in my competencies, expand my knowledge and, hopefully, increase my life’s impact.
While I had previously encountered the issues of hunger and food insecurity while living overseas as a missionary, I didn’t have any understanding of the programs and structures in place to combat those issues at home. When I saw the opening for the USDA Coordinator at the Food Bank, I jumped at the opportunity!
What is your favorite part of the job?
I can’t pick, but I’ve narrowed it down to two things: my coworkers and the sheer magnitude of things there are to learn here! It’s one of my life goals to never stop learning, and this job offers that in spades. As for my coworkers, it’s been such a pleasure to get to know so many new people and it’s been amazing to feel such a sense of camaraderie in only a few short months.
What is your least favorite part of the job?
The part of the job that keeps me up at night (so to speak) is the role that transportation, or lack thereof, plays in our neighbors’ food insecurity. For more rural areas, a handful of miles can make a huge difference. I hate knowing there are households in our service area who need food, but may not have access to necessary resources to make it to a pantry or distribution. I’m committed to continually looking for opportunities to get food into the hands of our neighbors who need it the most.
What has impacted you most since you started working at the Food Bank?
Working here has been such an eye-opening experience! As previously mentioned, I had zero prior knowledge of the food banking world - its language, structures, complexities, etc. Seeing how all the different pieces come together (from the bills and appropriations at the federal level that provide funding, to our local partner agencies getting it all done with volunteers and the determination to persevere), there’s so much to be proud of. I love being able to talk about my job and share this organization’s impact with others!
If you could have dinner with any 5 people, dead or alive, who 
would it be and why?
• My Dad — He passed away five years ago and I’d give anything for just a few more hours with him.
• Martin Luther King, Jr. — An absolute visionary and activist to emulate, I just want to hear him speak, share ideas, and soak it all up.
• Brené Brown — Her research and published work in the areas of shame and vulnerability changed the trajectory of my life; I just want to pick her brain some more!
• Rob O’Neil — I’m absolutely fascinated and inspired by the Navy SEAL culture and have the utmost respect for our military. As a Tier 1 Operator, I’d love to hear his stories and outlook on certain topics.
• Henry Cavill — Because who wouldn’t want to have dinner with a (seemingly) kind, nerdy, and absolutely gorgeous man...
