Matching missions: hunger relief programs and impact of food donation partners in Northwest Arkansas
Date of Graduation
5-2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness
Advisor/Mentor
Popp, Jennie
Committee Member/Reader
Rom, Curt
Committee Member/Second Reader
Fitzpatrick, Kevin
Abstract
In 2012 and 2013, Arkansas ranked first in the nation in food insecurity in both categories of “low food secure” (21.2%) and “very low food secure” (8.4%) (Lilley, 2013; Coleman- Jensen, 2014). In order to help address food insecurity in NWA, The Cobblestone Project developed a hunger relief donation partner, The Farm. (Cobblestone Project, 2013). In spring 2014, The Farm partnered with University of Arkansas to: • Better understand the demographics and need of hunger relief organizations • Calculate the impact of donations to hunger relief organizations • Assess satisfaction of donations from The Farm to hunger relief organizations • Explore ways that The Farm can positively impact the ability of hunger relief organizations to meet their goals of reducing hunger in NWA To meet these objectives, a series of three surveys (introduction survey; survey after donations; and final assessment survey) was developed and targeted to 13 hunger relief organizations that The Farm serves. Data analyses produced the following findings: Demographics and needs of hunger relief organizations: Statistical tests showed that there were no significant differences in demographics served (age and gender) between organizations that put different values on hunger relief in their mission statements. Additionally, there was no significant difference between the number of people served and the functional type (pantry, soup kitchen, in-house) of the organization. The impact of donations: 100% of organizations believed donors would find impact statistics from academic studies (such as this) as well as those developed by the hunger relief organizations themselves relevant. Satisfaction regarding the quality, quantity and diversity of the commodities donated: There is a difference in usefulness of produce that is easily prepared with known recipes and for large amounts of people. This survey showed bell peppers, cabbage, potatoes, zucchini, tomatoes, and lettuce to be considered most beneficial.
Keywords
food insecurity; northwest Arkansas; hunger relief; farming
Citation
West, A. M. (2015). Matching missions: hunger relief programs and impact of food donation partners in Northwest Arkansas. Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/aeabuht/2
