LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has signed an executive order aimed at addressing the state's food insecurity issue.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Natural State has the highest level of food insecurity in America with 567,110 people facing hunger in the state. Of that over 500,000 people, 168,430 are children facing hunger.
Experts said that this number creates a proportion where every 1 in 5 Arkansans and every 1 in 4 Arkansas children are suffering from food insecurity.
"It’s clear that our state is in critical need of comprehensive solutions to address these sobering statistics and ensure that all Arkansans have access to sufficient and nutritious food," Gov. Sanders said in a press release.
Gov. Sanders said that the executive order will work to identify "regulatory burdens that may hinder state agencies from contributing to the fight against hunger."
According to Gov. Sanders, the executive order will combat food insecurity and identify "regulatory burdens" in the following ways:
- All department secretaries are directed to conduct a thorough review of the regulations, policies, and procedures of their agencies to identify any items that may be contributing to or exacerbating food insecurity in Arkansas. This includes, but is not limited to, regulations related to food distribution, eligibility criteria for food assistance programs, and interagency coordination.
- Department secretaries shall submit a report to the Governor’s Office within 60 days of the issuance of this Executive Order. The report should detail any identified unnecessary regulatory burdens, their impacts on food insecurity, and recommendations for repeal or amendment.
- Based on the reports submitted, the Governor's Office will direct departments to develop a plan for repealing or amending regulations that impede efforts to reduce food insecurity.
- The Governor's Office will facilitate collaboration among the departments to ensure that regulatory changes are effectively implemented and that departments are aligned in their efforts to combat food insecurity.
- This Executive Order shall become effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect until the completion of the actions ordered herein.
