News From The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank

FOOD FOR THOUGHT  September 2025

Letter From Our President & CEO – September 10, 2025

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September is Hunger Action Month. It’s time to resume my annual quest of wearing orange every working day of September. I have had several folks ask me why I established my “orange challenge.” To restate, orange is the color representing food insecurity. Our Northwest Arkansas Food Bank logo, “No Kids Hungry”, The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and Feeding America all have orange as an integral color. Any opportunity I get to bring attention to the need is a success. Monetary donations help pay the bills. Money helps put food on the tables of those in need. Advocacy is equally as important. Too many people are hungry and too few people realize the need is a great as it is. I have been proud to wear orange every day in past Septembers, and I am looking forward to putting my orange on. I even have some new orange shirts to add to the rotation. I invite you to accept this as my challenge to you to wear orange also. Please snap a selfie of you in orange attire and email it to me at kent@nwafoodbank.org and I will share it on our social media platforms. Well, technically I will have Julie share the photos.

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At our last Board of Directors meeting, our 2030 Strategic Plan was approved. It is important for our organization, as well as all others, to look forward and plan for the future. I’m really proud of the work that our team, especially Taylor Speegle, put into this plan. I don’t want to delve to deeply into the new plan at this point, but do want to tease your interest. When the plan is released in its entirety in November, you can expect to see actions we will be taking to ensure our mission of helping food insecure neighbors is accomplished through stronger partnerships, a stronger staff, more advocacy, education and, not the least of which, using the Claude and Betty Harris Center for Hunger Relief to its full capacity.

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I want to bring to your attention an announcement elsewhere in this newsletter about the Flavor of Giving event, October 9. After over a decade of a Gala type event, we are repurposing our Jewels of Giving Gala to a more casual event. It will still be a celebration of sorts for what we have accomplished this past year with an eye toward the future. I hope you can join us.

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Well, that about wraps it up for this edition. I continue to marvel at the support of the community. We could not do what we do without you all. When I talk to peers across the nation who are worried about the future of their food bank, I am so grateful for each and every one of you who support us through monetary donations, volunteerism, advocacy or a simple thank you. You make it easier for us. Because of you, someone will eat today.
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Protein Pack Room Hits Major Milestone!

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Congratulations to our Protein Pack Room staff on processing ONE MILLION POUNDS of protein! 


Every day, this team processes bulk protein donated by Tyson Foods, repacking thousands of pounds into household-sized packages under rigorous food safety standards. These packages are sent out to our Agency Partners, who distribute them to families in need. 


This protein is also shipped out to our partner Feeding America food banks across the United States. 


Thank you and congratulations to our team for hitting this incredible milestone. We're so grateful for your dedication to fighting hunger in NWA and across the nation. 

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Neighbor story: Jené and Debra,

Pantry-to-Plate classes

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When Debra came across a social media post about Pantry-to-Plate free cooking classes, she quickly reached out to her friend Jené. It would be the perfect opportunity to catch up and enjoy good food together.


“I signed us up, so we could do it together as friends,” Debra said.


“It’s been wonderful, absolutely. I’ve enjoyed every day,” Jené said.


Pantry-to-Plate classes are open to anyone in Northwest Arkansas and are led by Becky, the Food Bank’s nutrition education coordinator, in the Teaching Kitchen.


The class created a variety of recipes, including lentil and veggie soup and pineapple fried rice.


“They’ve all been wonderful,” Debra said. “They’re easy to cook. That’s what I like about it. You can go home and quickly make this. You don’t have to have an hour. You can have like 30 minutes and have a great meal.”


In another workshop, the participants made pasta salad and pesto ranch with basil grown in the Teaching Garden.


“We walked out there, we picked our basil, and made the pesto,” Debra said. “Oh my goodness gracious, it was so delicious!”


Along with making the recipes in class, participants learn nutrition tips and tricks to incorporate into their daily lives. Jené and Debra enjoyed the lessons on reading nutrition labels and safe food storage.


“After we cook, we get to eat, and then we get to learn more about the ingredients and how to read ingredient labels,” Debra said. “The education part is a great added component.”


Jené is already recommending the class to other people. They both want to attend future classes in the Teaching Kitchen.


“I’m so sorry it’s over because it was our weekly outing together,” Jené said. “I’ve enjoyed being with all the women in this group. It’s been fun to meet them and get to visit with them.”


For information on future cooking and nutrition classes, follow the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank’s Facebook page.

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