When you think about a food bank, what comes to mind? For me, it has always been a place where people can turn when they need a little help putting food on the table. I knew food banks served an important purpose in our communities, but until my recent conversation with Christie Jordan, CEO of the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, I had never really thought about everything that goes into getting that food from the donor to the person who needs it.
And I certainly hadn't thought about how closely food banks and agriculture are connected!
The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas serves 12 counties, works with more than 180 local agencies, and distributed more than 9 million pounds of food last year. That's a LOT of food! But what I found most interesting was learning how they accomplish all of that, where the food comes from, and how important the relationships between farmers, businesses, food banks, and our government really are.
Christie has been with the Food Bank for nearly 30 years, so she has certainly seen a lot of changes. The organization actually began in 1983 as the Jonesboro Area Food Pantry and distributed 36,000 pounds of food in its first recorded year. Compare that to more than 9 million pounds last year, and you begin to understand just how much the organization has grown. Unfortunately, it also tells us something about the growing need in our communities.
One thing I learned is that the Food Bank doesn't operate like a grocery store where everyone comes to one location to get food. Instead, it works with more than 180 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other agencies throughout Northeast Arkansas. These local organizations are the people who know their communities, understand the needs, and have relationships with the families they serve. The Food Bank provides much of the food and helps those agencies have the resources and equipment necessary to distribute it.
Something Christie shared that I had never even considered is that a significant amount of the food distributed through the Food Bank never actually goes through its warehouse! Think about that. A grocery store may have food approaching its sell-by date, a manufacturer may have excess inventory, or a farmer may have surplus production. Rather than having that food hauled to Jonesboro, unloaded, stored, and then loaded onto another truck, the Food Bank can coordinate getting it directly to a local pantry that needs it.
That makes so much sense! As farmers, we understand the importance of efficiency, and this is a great example of using the resources already available to accomplish a goal. Not only does it help feed people, but it also keeps perfectly good food from being wasted.
Christie mentioned that Walmart stores are among the Food Bank's largest donors in Arkansas, and some of those stores work directly with local pantries for food pickups. The Food Bank also helps agencies obtain refrigeration and other equipment so they can safely handle things like fresh produce, dairy products, and other perishable foods. I had never thought about how much equipment and infrastructure might be needed just to help people in need!
And food isn't the only thing families need. Toothpaste, laundry detergent, deodorant, and other basic household necessities can be a real financial burden. These items cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, so donations of these products are important as well. When a family is struggling to afford groceries, chances are there are other household expenses creating challenges, too.
The Connection Between Farmers and Food Banks
Naturally, one of the parts of our conversation that interested me most was the role agriculture plays in fighting hunger. After all, producing food is what we do! But just because we produce it doesn't mean everyone has access to it.
Christie shared a statistic that really caught my attention. According to research released in August by the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and the state's six Feeding America food banks, 37% of Arkansans do not have enough food to meet their needs. That's more than 1.14 million people in our state!
I had a hard time wrapping my head around that number. We live in one of the most agriculturally productive states in the country. We grow rice, soybeans, corn, wheat, poultry, cattle, and so much more. Arkansas farmers produce food that is shipped all over the United States and around the world, yet we have neighbors right here at home who struggle to put food on their tables.
Something about that just doesn't seem right.
As we talked about ways farmers can help, Christie explained that donations don't have to be large to make a difference. Of course, a truckload of food is wonderful, but so is a smaller contribution. A few pounds of rice, a few boxes of produce, or a monetary donation all help meet the need.
We talked quite a bit about rice, and this is where I had one of those moments when something I've known my entire life made me think a little differently.
Rice is a staple in our home. We eat it regularly, and I've spent my entire life growing it. But I had never really thought about rice from the perspective of a family struggling to stretch its grocery budget. A little rice can make a meal go so much further. Add beans, vegetables, or a little protein, and you can create a filling meal for several people without spending a lot of money.
It's affordable, versatile, easy to store, and can be used in so many different ways. What a valuable food to provide to someone who needs a little help!
We receive requests throughout the year asking if we would consider donating rice. I'll admit that it's easy to look at those requests as just one more thing on a long list of expenses and responsibilities that come with farming. Especially in a year like this one when farmers are struggling financially.
But after talking with Christie, I hope I'll look at those requests a little differently. What might seem like a small amount to us could make a real difference to a family trying to figure out how to make their groceries last until the next payday.
So here's my challenge to my fellow rice farmers. The next time you receive that letter asking you to donate a pound or a few hundred pounds of rice, check the box that says YES! It all adds up, and it stays right here helping people who need it.
The same opportunity exists for grocery stores, restaurants, manufacturers, and other food businesses. If you have food that could be donated, don't assume it's too little or that the process will be too complicated. Call the Food Bank and find out how they can help get it into the hands of someone who needs it.
Why the Farm Bill Matters to Everyone
Of course, you probably knew I wasn't going to have a conversation about agriculture and hunger without talking about the Farm Bill!
This was another part of my conversation with Christie that I wish more people understood. We often hear the Farm Bill discussed as though it is simply legislation designed to support farmers. And while farm programs are certainly a critical part of it, the Farm Bill is about so much more than what happens on the farm.
In fact, USDA's 2026 projections show that of approximately $1.4 trillion in mandatory spending over the next ten years, about $985 billion is associated with nutrition programs. The remaining spending includes crop insurance, commodity programs, conservation, and other agricultural programs. That's a pretty good indication that the Farm Bill is about more than just farmers!
One of the largest nutrition programs is SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps eligible families purchase groceries. Sometimes SNAP and farm programs are discussed as though they are competing interests, but I've always believed that is the wrong way to look at it.
Farmers produce food. Families purchase food. Grocery stores sell food. Food processors and manufacturers turn our agricultural products into the foods people eat every day. All of these pieces are connected, and when one part of the system struggles, it affects the others.
On my last trip to Washington, D.C., with the Soil Sisters, this was one of the issues we discussed with nearly everyone we met. We talked about how important the ENTIRE Farm Bill is to our rural communities, not just the portions that directly support production agriculture. Nutrition programs are important to the people who receive assistance, but they also support grocery stores, food businesses, and the agricultural economy. In many of our small rural towns, those connections are especially important.
Christie also explained how changes in nutrition assistance can affect charitable organizations like the Food Bank. When families lose benefits or those benefits don't stretch far enough, they often turn to local food pantries for additional help. But food banks are already working hard to meet a growing demand, and they simply cannot replace the entire federal nutrition safety net.
Another program we discussed was The Emergency Food Assistance Program, commonly called TEFAP. This federal program helps provide American-grown agricultural commodities for distribution through food banks and other charitable organizations.
Now think about that from the perspective of a rice farmer in Arkansas.
Our southern rice industry is facing tremendous financial pressure, and a significant part of that pressure comes from competition with countries whose governments heavily subsidize their rice production. We are competing in a global market where the playing field is anything but level.
At the same time, we have American families who need food.
Wouldn't this be a practical opportunity for our government to purchase more American-grown rice for food assistance programs? Those purchases could help support struggling farmers and rice mills while providing a nutritious, affordable food to families who need it. I'm certainly not suggesting that one government purchase program will solve all the problems facing American agriculture, but this is exactly the kind of opportunity we should be looking for.
Helping American farmers, supporting American businesses, and feeding American families. That sounds like a pretty good use of our resources to me!
I think sometimes we make these issues more complicated than they need to be. Agriculture and nutrition are not separate conversations. They are part of the same food system, and we should be working together to make that system stronger.
A Little Help Can Go a Long Way
Another thing Christie and I discussed was the misconception that people who need food assistance simply aren't working.
I think that's an assumption we need to reconsider.
Many of the families receiving help have adults who are working, sometimes more than one job, and still struggle to cover their basic expenses. We all know what has happened to grocery prices over the last several years. Just think about how much more you're spending every time you go to the grocery store! Add housing, utilities, transportation, childcare, and medical expenses, and it doesn't take much for a family budget to become stretched beyond its limits.
Sometimes all it takes is an unexpected medical bill, a car repair, or a reduction in work hours to put someone in a difficult financial position. These aren't necessarily people who live somewhere else or in circumstances completely different from ours. They may be our neighbors, the people we see at church, or the families whose children go to school with our own.
I also think it's important to remember that accepting help isn't always easy. Most people want to be able to take care of themselves and their families. But sometimes circumstances change, and having somewhere to turn can make a tremendous difference.
That's why organizations like the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas are so important. They provide food, but they also provide a little peace of mind during what may be a very difficult time in someone's life.
And there are so many ways we can help.
Every November, the Food Bank holds its annual Fill the Food Bank food and fund drive. This year, the event is scheduled for November 20, with opportunities for individuals, businesses, and organizations to participate. The Food Bank also needs volunteers throughout the year, and you don't have to be part of a large organization to lend a hand.
You can organize a food drive at your business, make a financial contribution, volunteer your time, or simply contact your local pantry and ask what they need most. For those of us in agriculture, donating a portion of what we produce is another opportunity to make a difference.
If you'd like to learn more, visit foodbankofnea.org or call 870-932-3663. The staff can help you find a way to contribute, whether it's a one-time donation or an ongoing partnership.
I'm going to issue one more challenge. Before the end of 2026, I hope everyone reading this will consider making some kind of contribution to the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas or a food pantry in your own community. It doesn't have to be a large donation. Give a little of your time, a few dollars, or some food. Whatever you can do.
Because if enough of us do a little, just think about how much good we can accomplish together.
One of my favorite things about hosting the Field Good Life Podcast is having the opportunity to visit with people whose work connects to agriculture in ways I might not have considered before. I always learn something, and this conversation with Christie was certainly no exception.
I've spent my life growing food, talking about food, and advocating for the farmers who produce it. But this conversation reminded me that our responsibility to the food system doesn't necessarily end when the crop leaves the farm.
Sometimes the most important part is making sure that food reaches the people who need it.
I appreciate the work Christie and her team are doing, along with all the volunteers, businesses, and community organizations that make the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas possible. They are doing work that matters, and I hope this conversation encourages more of us to be part of it.
After all, we grow food to feed people. What better way to support our communities than to help make sure our neighbors have enough to eat?
See you in the field!