Education and Advocacy
In order to maintain and increase the level of support for the emergency food system and state and federal nutrition programs to feed hungry Arkansans the general public and policy makers must be educated about the need and the solutions to the problem. A major role of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance is to ensure that the word gets out about what is going on around the issue of hunger at the local, state and national level.
Awareness Raising
The Alliance hosts several events during the year to raise awareness about hunger. These include the Hunger Action Breakfast, Hunger Day at the Capitol and Serving Up Solutions. Information about these events and others can be found on the front page of our website.
The Alliance also works with the Feeding America Food Banks in the state to produce the hunger study. This is done every 4 years and was just updated in 2009. The state wide report can be downloaded by clicking on the link below:
This study is one of a kind and helps to put a face on hunger in Arkansas.
2009 Child Food Insecurity Economic Impact
Child Food Insecurity in US 2005-2007
Food Hardship Report 2010
Federal Advocacy
The staff of the Alliance works diligently to stay abreast of current legislative issues that may affect federal nutrition programs that operate in the state. Updates on these issues will be sent to you directly if you sign up for the electronic newsletter. Additionally, informational briefs will be posted below as they are made available.
CNR Highlights
Detailed Analysis of House Child Nutrition Legislation Concerning Out of School Feeding
Highlights Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010
Highlights Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act
Top Legislative Priorities for the Child Nutrition Re-authorization
TANF Emergency Funding and Tax Extenders
Scheduling Request
Template Event Planning Guide
Sample Invitation to an Event
State Advocacy
During the state legislative session the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance stays on top of issues that directly impact our members and low income families in the state. Weekly updates are compiled and posted below. Additionally, those signed up on for the electronic newsletter will receive alerts and updates by e-mail.
Arkansas has a very active legislative hunger caucus. The caucus supports the Serving Up Solutions dinner and will be hosting the Arkansas Food Stamp Challenge this fall.
View a list of Arkansas Legislative Hunger Caucus Members.
Healthy Eating Education
Helping to ensure low income families and individuals have access to fresh fruits and vegetables and are educated on good nutrition habits is a goal of the Alliance. We partner with many organizations to make this happen. Some of our efforts in this area include:
- The Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention- Growing Healthy Communities Project
- Community Gardening
- Nutrition Education promotion and support through local hunger relief organizations. This includes SNAP nutrition education, cooking classes and other nutrition related training.
Below are some links to partners that help us accomplish this.
University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention
American Community Gardening Association
