Agency Resource Page
Reporting for all TEFAP/LFPA or CSFP recipients and non-Service Insights users:
We are grateful for your partnership in helping us better understand the root causes of food insecurity. To streamline reporting we will be moving from Microsoft Forms back to Agency Express for monthly reports from March 2025 activities on. For all TEFAP/LFPA or CSFP recipients and non-Service Insights users please submit the usual Microsoft Form for your February reports by March 1st. The move back to Agency Express for reporting will begin with March reports that are due April 1st. OASIS Service insights users will only need to submit reports on Agency Express if they are distributing TEFAP/LFPA or CSFP food.
A general training video is on our Resource and Facebook pages with more information. We will offer online training once per week for 4 weeks beginning the last week of February – for meeting links please see our Resource and Facebook pages.
- February Reports: Please submit your monthly report via Microsoft Forms by March 1st, as we’ve done in previous months.
- We are moving back to Agency Express Reporting– Be on the lookout for training sessions over the next two weeks, and a video to watch on your own, about the updated reporting platform starting in March.
- March Onwards: All reports should be submitted by April 1st using the Agency Express survey platform for the March data.
- We’ll continue to use the Agency Express survey until the end of June.
- Feedback Consideration: Feedback by you, the agency, given from March to June will be used to improve the reports for July 2025 to June 2026.
- Annual Updates: Each year, we’ll update the report to make it more user-friendly.
- Future Goal: By June 2027, all members will report in real-time using Service Insights.
USDA Agencies:
Reminder: This year, we’ll be encouraging all USDA pantries to transition to Service Insights for easier reporting to the Department of Education. We’re also working on a tracking system within Service Insights to replace the use of TEFAP/CSFP cards.
If you are a current USDA agency not yet using Service Insights, you will be contacted in the coming months. If you are already on Service Insights, expect outreach soon for training on the new tracking system.
Vivery Platform Update & Upcoming Training
You’ve been hearing about the Vivery platform, and we’re excited to share that about 14% of our food distributing pantries (41 out of 279) have already claimed their profiles since the initial email in November 2024! As promised, we will be offering more in-depth training in the coming weeks to ensure you can fully utilize this tool.
Be on the lookout for emails from both the Arkansas Foodbank and Vivery with instructions on updating your profile, maximizing the platform’s features, and engaging with neighbors more effectively. Additionally, we will be hosting a webinar on March 4th to walk through the tool step by step. If you’re unable to attend, don’t worry—a recording will be sent out afterward.
If you have not received any information from Vivery or need to update your contact details, please reach out via phone or email. Debbie Trickett via phone 501-569-4304 or agencysupport@arkansasfoodbank.org. Ideally, updates should be made using the Authorized Personnel Form (see the link to our resource page).
We appreciate your partnership in using this tool to provide neighbors with accurate, up-to-date food access information while highlighting the incredible work you do. Thank you for joining us in this effort!
Help Us Maintain Donations: Return Pallets, Bins & Crates
Many generous companies support the Arkansas Foodbank by donating food and resources to help your pantry serve the community. As part of our agreement with these donors, we must return reusable materials such as pallets, bins, and crates to avoid unnecessary expenses and ensure continued support.
To help us maintain these valuable partnerships:
If you receive deliveries, please send these items back with the delivery truck.
If you pick up orders from our facility, bring all returns with you.
All returned items should be free of trash, leaves, and pest activity. Your cooperation helps us continue securing donations that benefit your pantry and the neighbors you serve. Thank you for your support!
Welcome to the Service Insights Monthly Newsletter!
Welcome to the Service Insights Monthly Newsletter!
This newsletter is your go-to source for updates from the Service Insights Team. Each month, we’ll share highlights and key data from the previous month to keep you informed and engaged.
For those already using Oasis Service Insights, we hope you find this information helpful. If you’re not yet on Oasis, now is the perfect time to explore it!
Reminder: All member pantries will be required to transition to Oasis Service Insights by December 2026. Don’t wait—sign up today and get ahead of the curve!
You can view the newsletter here.
Find A Pantry: Vivery
Exciting Update: New Find Food Map!
If you haven’t heard yet, we’ve rolled out a brand-new Find Food Map that you now have access to—and you can update your pantry’s information directly! This new platform gives you the ability to customize your pantry’s hours, services, and even upload photos. The really cool news is that it allows you to create your own pantry website and text the neighbors you serve!
Your pantry’s main contact should have received an email from VIVERY on November 7th with a link to claim your site. Once you’ve claimed your site, you can also add other users.
Below are helpful resources to get you started:
Please take a moment to review your pantry’s information on our website. If anything is incorrect, follow the steps provided to update it. Find Food – Arkansas Foodbank
Agency Support
Reach out to our different Agency Support contacts with any questions or updates:
Agency Express
Reporting
Non-Service Insight Users and USDA pantries: February reports and prior will be submitted through the Submit February 2025 and Prior Monthly Reports button. From March on all reports will be submitted through Agency Express (Report → Survey Management). Reports are due by the 1st of each month. Late submissions will put your pantry on HOLD, preventing orders. All member pantries will transition to Service Insights by December 2026.
– If you would like to begin transitioning your pantry to Service Insights to prepare for the December 2026 deadline, please reach out to: serviceinsights@arkansasfoodbank.org
Grant Opportunities
Blue and You Mini Grants of $1K to 5K
Mini Grants opens January 1 and is the first day of each quarter throughout the year. Applications will be evaluated during the final month of each quarter.
Applicants will be open during the months of January, February, April, May, July, August, October and November and notifications of approval or decline will be sent during the months of March, June, September, and December.
The applications will be evaluated based on the need and quality of the requests.
Apply here: https://blueandyoufoundationarkansas.org/funding-opportunities/mini-grants/
Arkansas Community Foundation Giving Tree Grants
We would recommend establishing a relationship with your local AR Community Foundation representative and starting to prepare for the application process.
For more Information: https://www.arcf.org/apply-for-giving-tree-grants/
USDA
CSFP
Serving Older Adults with a Monthly Food Package
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) works to improve the health of persons with low-income, at least 60 years of age, by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods.
Interested in Becoming a CSFP Agency?
If you’re passionate about supporting low-income seniors, consider becoming a CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program) agency. As a CSFP agency, you’ll receive FREE high-quality food to distribute to seniors in need. While seniors must meet eligibility requirements to qualify, the effort to gather this information is well worth it, as it allows you to provide critical support to this vulnerable population.
The Arkansas Foodbank submits applications for new CSFP programs each September, and USDA notifies us of approved agencies the following April or May. If you’re interested in joining, let us know—we’d love to have you on board!
If you’re interested in joining, let us know! Click here to email Program Services (send to mmitchell@arkansasfoodbank.org)
TEFAP
Strengthening the Nation’s Nutrition Safety Net and Supporting American Agriculture
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of people with low income by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost.
Interested in Becoming a USDA TEFAP Agency?
We’re looking to expand our network of agencies participating in the USDA TEFAP program. As a TEFAP agency, you’ll receive FREE high-quality food to distribute to neighbors in need. While there are eligibility requirements for neighbors to qualify for this food, the extra effort to gather this information is well worth it—allowing you to provide families with even more support.
If you’re interested in joining, let us know! Click here to email Agency Services.
Foodbank University
Welcome to Foodbank University! Here, you can discover upcoming training opportunities offered by the Arkansas Foodbank for our partner pantries, available both online and in person.
If there are any specific topics you’d like to see covered, please reach out to us.
Training Videos:
Basic Food Safety, Civil Rights and Service with a Smile-20240809_100101-Meeting Recording.mp4
The Arkansas Foodbank is hosting a ServSafe training and testing with the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance on March 21st.
This is an in-person, all day training on our Little Rock campus at 4301 W. 65th Street, Little Rock, AR 72209. Agencies that prepare food for neighbors are expected to have at least one staff member or regular volunteer with an active ServSave certification. The cost for training and testing is $25 per person. Please complete the following form:
SNAP
Do you have a neighbor who needs help accessing SNAP? Our SNAP staff at the Arkansas Foodbank is here to assist with completing the application and will provide follow-up support through our case management program to ensure eligibility and approval.
Visit the SNAP page to learn more or sign your neighbor up for a phone appointment HERE
