Well Fed

09/18/2026

Emergency food pantries do essential work keeping families fed in times of crisis, and that mission matters deeply. 🍎

But for patients battling cancer alongside conditions like diabetes or hypertension, generic food boxes aren't always enough to support recovery.

That’s why we're excited to announce the start of our new Nutrition as Medicine Program with Jefferson Regional!

Instead of relying on random surplus food, we source fresh produce from local Arkansan growers, partner with JRMC Registered Dietitians to curate diet-specific meal plans and classes, and collaborate directly with doctors to track measurable health improvements.

We aren't just putting food on tables—we’re using tailored nutrition to help cancer patients feel better, tolerate treatment, and recover quicker!

🥦📝 Patients receiving treatment at the Jones-Dunklin Cancer Center may be eligible if referred by Dr. James, Dr. Campbell, or Dr. Masons, and if they have a cancer diagnosis plus a coexisting condition such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, or significant unintentional weight loss.

📞 Learn more by calling (870) 541-3230 and ask for Stephanie Dunn or Hannah Howell.

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Joshua Harris

09/18/2026

09/11/2026

Big shoutout to our partners at Matthews Ridgeview Farms for providing local communities with incredible, farm-fresh sweet potatoes! 🍠

If you picked up these delicious orange tubers from us or your local market, here is what that naturally sweet vegetable is secretly doing for your body behind the scenes:

🧠 Shields your brain against "brain fog"

Sweet potatoes contain a rare, super-protective plant protein called sporamin (spow-ruh-min). Research shows it acts like a personal guard for your brain cells—neutralizing free radicals and protecting your memory and cognitive sharpness as you age!

🎛️ Acts like a smart energy regulator

Don't let the word "sweet" fool you! Sweet potatoes are packed with soluble fiber that acts like a speed bump in your stomach, slowing down carb absorption so you get smooth, steady energy without a sugar crash.

🍌⚡ The secret potassium powerhouse

Move over, bananas! Just one medium sweet potato packs more potassium than a banana. Potassium helps flush extra sodium out of your body, keeping your blood pressure balanced and your muscles completely relaxed.

The best part? They are super easy to prep. Scrub the skin, poke it with a fork, and microwave for 5 minutes (or bake at 400°F for 45 minutes to 1 hour) for a quick and nutritious meal base. Toss on a tiny dab of butter or olive oil—healthy fats help your body absorb 100% of that immunity-boosting Vitamin A! 🙌

💡 Share this with someone who loves a good sweet potato bake!

👇 And check out Matthews Ridgeview Farm’s harvesting video to see how this “natural pharmaceutical” goes from soil to sold at your local market.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqUz9p75V30&t=73s

08/27/2026

There is nothing quite like a fresh Arkansas tomato at peak harvest! 🍅

If you’re planning on picking up ripe tomatoes from your local market, check that they have the “Arkansas Grown” seal (local is best, y’all!) and remember what this juicy summer favorite is secretly doing for your body behind the scenes:

☀️ Acts like "internal sunscreen"

Tomatoes get their bright red color from a powerful antioxidant called lycopene (lie-ko-peen). It moves straight to your skin cells to help shield them against sun damage and premature aging!

🫀 Gives your arteries a gentle polish

Lycopene also works as a heart helper—keeping "bad" cholesterol from hardening in your bloodstream and keeping your circulation running smoothly.

🍳 Unlocks 4x more power when warm

Raw tomatoes are great, but lightly cooking them (like in a quick pasta sauce or warm skillet) breaks down their plant walls, making lycopene up to 400% easier for your body to absorb!

The best part? Local Arkansas tomatoes harvested right now are at their peak for both flavor and nutrient power. Check out our favorite tomato vendors and growers at K Hall & Sons Produce and McGarrah Farms at Pea Ridge, and one-up your tomato game! 🙌

💡 Share this with someone who loves a good summer tomato!

👇 Tell us your ultimate way to eat a fresh summer tomato (BLT, fresh salsa, or cooked into sauce?)

08/21/2026

Basic human needs:

Water
Oxygen
Nutrient-dense foods

Obvious, right?

So why do 1 in 4 adult Arkansans not get the daily nutrition they need?

We fight for equal access to nutrition because nutrition is a human right. Should anyone have to choose unhealthy, calorie-dense foods just because they live too far from a grocery store or they can't afford fresh, nutrient-dense food?

08/20/2026

Week 02 of small health tips that make a big difference. This week, let's talk about why extreme dieting FAILS (most of the time)...

Trying to change everything overnight is a recipe for burnout. 🚫

Real, sustainable health comes from small, consistent changes. Aiming for a gradual weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds a week is far more effective and lasting than extreme dieting. And when you reach milestones (10 lbs, for example), treat yourself and a friend to a tasty treat like ice cream!

Slow and steady wins the race!

08/12/2026

Turns out "an apple a day" wasn't just something your grandma made up... 🍎

If you picked up fresh apples from our recent program at the Pine Bluff / Jefferson County Library System (or have a couple sitting in a fruit bowl right now!), here is what that crisp snack is quietly doing for your body behind the scenes:

🧼 Builds a "cozy gel jacket" for your gut

Apples are packed with a special plant fiber called pectin. In your stomach, it forms a smooth gel that feeds your good gut bugs and keeps your digestion running happily.

🫀 Keeps your blood vessels relaxed

The peel contains a natural antioxidant called quercetin (kwor-suh-tin). It tells your blood vessel walls to relax and widen, which helps support healthy blood pressure!

🔋 Acts like a slow-burn battery

Unlike sweet treats that cause a quick sugar spike and crash, the fiber in apples acts as a speed bump—giving you smooth, long-lasting energy.

The best part? You don’t need a fancy recipe! Over 50% of an apple's power is right in the peel, so just give it a rinse, slice it up with a bit of peanut butter or cheese, and you're good to go! 🙌

💡 Share this with a friend who loves an easy health hack!

Drop an "🍎" in the comments if you want to check out an orchard this season (Aug-Nov)! (hint: check out our partners at Vanzant Fruit Farms)

08/10/2026

We had a blast last week at the Pine Bluff / Jefferson County Library System where we set up a fresh mobile market!

Residents from around Pine Bluff showed up to pick out fresh produce and get resources from the Arkansas Minority Health Commission.

Jefferson County has among the highest rates of diet-related disease, and a leading factor is low access to fresh produce.

Check out our 'photo dump' of the event and follow us to stay updated on our next mobile market event 🚐



City of Pine Bluff, AR - Government Joshua Harris

08/07/2026

Turns out, libraries make surprisingly good grocery stores 🍎📖

City of Pine Bluff, AR - Government opened up the Pine Bluff / Jefferson County Library System for a second time to a mobile fresh produce market, and the results were incredible!

The rockstar combo Joshua Harris and Arkansas Minority Health Commission teamed up to bring nutrition access and resources to PB residents from across the Pine Bluff area.

Find out what happened by signing up for our email newsletter 📫

📩 https://wellfedar.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=da7fc02d4c031b4e42596430e&id=586e65f9f2

07/31/2026

Week 01 of small health tips that make a big difference. This week we're talkin' frozen produce... 🍓

Did you know an American throws away around 240 pounds of food every single year? 💸

Save money and reduce waste by swapping some fresh items for frozen fruits and vegetables. They’re picked at peak ripeness, locked in with nutrients, and last for months in your freezer.