Little Rock, Arkansas – A new statewide study is shedding light on a persistent and deeply personal struggle for hundreds of thousands of people across Arkansas — not knowing where their next meal will come from. Researchers say the findings reveal a level of food insecurity that remains among the highest in the nation and affects communities in both rural and urban areas.
According to the latest Arkansas Health Survey, nearly 28.8 percent of adults in the state — about 688,000 people — experience food insecurity. The study, conducted through a collaboration between the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, paints a detailed picture of how widespread the problem has become.
Researchers noted that Arkansas’s rate stands about 10 percent higher than recent national estimates. Even before this study, national data had already ranked Arkansas as the state with the highest levels of food insecurity. The new findings suggest the situation remains deeply entrenched, touching nearly every corner of the state.
The impact, experts say, goes far beyond empty cupboards. Food insecurity often creates ripple effects that influence health, financial stability, and overall well-being. “When families are concerned about where their next meal is going to come from, it spills over into every other aspect of their life and health,” said Don E. Willis, an assistant professor in human development and family sciences program in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences.
The study’s detailed breakdown highlights particularly severe challenges in certain counties. Lee, Union, Lincoln, Sebastian, Crittenden, and Columbia counties all reported adult food insecurity rates of 32 percent or higher. In addition, researchers identified about 200 census tracts across Arkansas where more than 35 percent of adults face difficulty accessing enough food.
These numbers, researchers emphasize, reflect more than a simple statistic. Food insecurity often fluctuates, shaped by employment changes, rising living costs, health issues, and limited access to grocery stores or transportation.
Lead researcher Michael Niño explained that the problem cannot be understood through a simple yes-or-no lens. “Food insecurity is often treated as a simple yes-or-no issue, but the reality is more complex,” said Michael Niño, U of A associate professor of sociology and criminology and the lead researcher for the Arkansas Health Survey.
The Arkansas Health Survey itself represents a major effort to gather more precise, local data on health and economic challenges across the state. By examining conditions at the county and neighborhood levels, researchers hope policymakers and community organizations can better target resources and interventions.
Willis said the project could serve as a model for other states looking to address similar challenges. “The Arkansas Health Survey is an example of researchers in our state really stepping up and leading the way,” Willis said. “It can be a model for how other states might want to track and respond to food insecurity. And it’s especially important right now.”
Later this month, additional tools from the survey will become publicly available. Interactive maps will be released through the AR-COMPASS online dashboard, allowing users to explore food insecurity rates across specific communities. Researchers say these tools are designed to help decision-makers, nonprofits, and residents better understand the scope of the issue.
As Arkansas continues to grapple with economic pressures and rising costs of living, the study underscores a reality that often remains hidden behind statistics — for many families, the challenge of securing enough food is not occasional but ongoing. The hope among researchers is that greater awareness, combined with detailed data, will lead to more targeted solutions and stronger support systems for those most in need.
