NORTHWEST ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) — The Walton Family Foundation stands in solidarity with local farmers during COVID-19 and the programs are focused on strengthening the region’s overall capacity to grow food for its residents.
It plans to launch the Northwest Arkansas Food Systems to help farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The goal is to help farmers expand their ability to grow more food and connect them to local wholesale markets and directly to consumers.
The initiative is supporting three grantees, but only one — The Food Conservancy — is responsible for the COVID-19-related pilot program, which includes the $20 boxes of produce.
“They have two distribution points right now. One at their warehouse in Springdale and the other at the 8th Street Market in Bentonville. And they’re really stepping up their efforts in helping farmers seal everything that they’re growing,” senior advisor Karin Endy says.
With the initiative, the Walton Family Foundation hopes to grow the local farming industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
