The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank serves Benton and Washington counties, the Bentonville, Rogers, Fayetteville, and Springdale metro that has grown dramatically around Walmart's corporate headquarters. This corner of the state is Arkansas's economic engine, home to Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt, yet rapid growth and rising housing costs have left many working families food-insecure. Founded in 1988 and based in Lowell, the food bank named Taylor Speegle President and CEO in January 2026, succeeding Kent Eikenberry, who retired.
The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank sources food at scale and distributes it across Benton and Washington counties through partner agencies and its own programs. It serves a fast-growing region with a striking contrast: the headquarters of some of the largest companies in the world sit alongside working families and new arrivals who cannot keep up with the area’s rising cost of living. The food bank has leaned into a data-driven approach to target need precisely.
Taylor Speegle became President and CEO in January 2026, after serving as the food bank’s vice president and chief strategy officer. He succeeded Kent Eikenberry, who announced his retirement and transitioned into a consultative role before stepping down. Speegle has emphasized using data to measure and target the region’s need.
The service area is Benton and Washington counties, the Northwest Arkansas metro anchored by Bentonville, Rogers, Fayetteville, and Springdale. It is the economic engine of Arkansas, home to Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt, but its explosive growth has driven up housing costs and drawn a large immigrant and working population, leaving real food insecurity beneath the prosperity.
Yes. The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank is a registered 501(c)(3) and a Feeding America member, operating since 1988. Donors can review its financials through Charity Navigator and GuideStar. Bulk buying and donated food mean a gift produces many meals.
Donations and volunteer shifts run through nwafoodbank.org. Volunteers sort and pack food and help at distributions, and cash gifts go furthest because of the food bank’s purchasing power.
The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank covers the Bentonville-Fayetteville corner, while Arkansas Foodbank covers central and southern Arkansas and is the largest in the state. For anyone in Northwest Arkansas, this is the lead organization.
Agencies across Benton and Washington counties.
Using data to measure and reach the region’s need.
School and weekend food support for kids at risk of hunger.
Food assistance for older adults on fixed incomes.
Sources: Northwest Arkansas Food Bank website (nwafoodbank.org), and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and NWA Homepage reporting on the appointment of Taylor Speegle. We are not affiliated with Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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