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Trump replaces Waltz as national security adviser, Rubio takes role for now; Poll: AZ Latino voters 'discouraged' after Trump's first 100 days; AR pre-K suffers from funding gap; Judge bars deportations of Venezuelans from South TX under Alien Enemies Act; Coalition wants to end 'forced labor' in MN prisons.

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National Security Advisor Mike Waltz is leaving that job to become UN ambassador, bipartisan Arizona poll finds Latino voters dissatisfied by Trump's first 100 days, and Florida mass deportations frighten community members.

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Rural students who face hurdles going to college are getting noticed, Native Alaskans may want to live off the land but obstacles like climate change loom large, and the Cherokee language is being preserved by kids in North Carolina.

Food-insecure AR families could suffer because of federal cuts

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Monday, April 7, 2025   

Arkansas families who are food insecure could be hurt by federal cuts to programs and services.

Those fighting the war on hunger across the Natural State are looking for new ways to help those in need after the federal government ended the Local Food Purchase Agreement Program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture grant program allowed food banks to purchase goods from local farmers and growers.

Christie Jordan, CEO of the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, said the cuts will impact producers as well as those seeking assistance.

"The decrease in purchasing," said Jordan, "means that there's not as strong a market for the foods that our farm families are producing to distribute to the food supply chain in our nation."

The food bank received between $500,000 and $600,000 a year from the LFPA Program.

According to the latest statistics from the nonprofit Feeding America, Arkansas has the second highest food insecurity rate in the nation.

The high food insecurity rate is attributed to the rising cost of groceries and the loss of additional COVID-19 assistance.

Advocates working to combat hunger say when budgets are tight, food is usually the first thing people cut back on.

Food pantries and other nonprofits have reported an increase in people seeking assistance. Jordan said cuts will have a significant impact on the local economy.

"That means less money available for families to purchase food at the grocery stores," said Jordan. "And the trickle-down effect is pretty substantial. We think about, if there's a decrease in food purchasing, potentially lost jobs."

Jordan said there are three ways residents can help.

"Time, food or money," said Jordan, "that you can help your local food bank, or food pantry. And also speaking up about pieces of legislation, being engaged with your elected officials on a state and federal level."




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