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Nourishing Communities Through Local Networks
Over the past two years, Well Fed has partnered with the U.S. Department of Education and the State of Arkansas through the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Program to expand access to healthy, locally sourced foods across the state.
Through this partnership, Well Fed delivered monthly food boxes to nearly 1,800 low-income households in more than 20 communities—providing over 260,000 pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, and meat. By purchasing produce from 24 different Arkansas farmers, the program not only nourished families but also supported local agriculture and strengthened the state’s food supply chain.
“The recipes gave the residents new ideas for healthy meals and helped them use the food they received."
The USDA’s LFPA initiative is designed to improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency by enabling states to procure and distribute local and regional foods that meet community needs.
Well Fed managed every aspect of the program’s logistics—from coordinating with farmers and registering families to handling deliveries, invoicing, and data collection.
Many families experienced better nutrition security during the program. Each month, boxes were filled with fresh, local ingredients and a specially-tailored recipe, making nutritious cooking simple and empowering.
Surveys conducted during the program found:
- 70% of participants reported new opportunities to eat healthier
- 67% experienced reduced food insecurity
- 77% felt physically better after eight months.
Site managers also gave high marks to the program:
- 100% rated our communication and collaboration with them at 4 stars or higher
- 81% rated the boxes 8/10 or higher for improving residents’ nutrition.
"It allowed them to have grocery items that they may not have otherwise been able to afford, improving their nutritional health."
This partnership demonstrates how community-based food access programs can improve both health outcomes and local economies.
If you represent a healthcare provider, insurance organization, or community-based nonprofit and want to start a similar program in your area, contact Well Fed today to learn how we can help you bring healthy, locally sourced food to the people who need it most.