Healthy Food Mobile Market to open
The Healthy Food Mobile Market will be open from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Pine Bluff Library, 600 Main St. Voucher fees will be waived for this distribution because of the government shutdown and pause in SNAP benefits, according to a news release. Sponsored by Ward 1 council member LaTisha Brunson, the event will also feature free health screenings.
“As your Ward 1 Councilmember, it is my honor as the holidays approach to launch the Healthy Food Mobile Market as the beginning of many efforts to truly serve those who need it most in Pine Bluff. This market is more than a place to find nourishing foods — it represents a commitment to letting residents choose the items that best fit their families and lifestyles, putting dignity and personal choice at the center of our work,” she said in a news release. “As we continue to tackle food insecurity, break down the barriers of food deserts, and confront challenges like the halt of SNAP benefits, know that this market is my way of letting every member of our community know we are in this together. I’ve witnessed firsthand that these struggles are not just statistics — they are lived experiences for so many. By joining together, supporting each other, and providing not only fresh foods but essential health screenings, we are making sure Pine Bluff’s families feel seen, heard, and supported,” Brunson said.
Brunson thanks the market partners at WellFed, Arkansas Minority Health Commission, Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library System and the City of Pine Bluff.
Video game-inspired concert set
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Division of Music at the University of Arkansas at Monticello will host a performance by UAM Jazz One at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Fine Arts Center. The concert is free and open to the public. Directed by Kevin Bryson, director of jazz studies at UAM, this semester’s concert will feature a program of music from popular video games, including selections from Super Mario 64, Mario Kart, Portal, Minecraft, Undertale and Five Nights at Freddy’s, according to a news release. Details: UAM Division of Music at (870) 460-1060.
UAPB, Black farmers plan project
A Food and Nutrition Entrepreneurship Camp will be hosted by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences, in partnership with the National Black Growers Council on Dec. 6-7.
A closing ceremony for the camp will be held Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Magnolia Food Hall, 601 S. Main St., in downtown Pine Bluff.
“The camp will welcome 20 students from Friendship Aspire High School to UAPB’s campus and surrounding agricultural facilities,” said Kimberly Haynie, Ph.D, associate professor of nutrition and food sciences at UAPB. “This two-day immersive experience is designed to introduce high school students to the world of agricultural entrepreneurship — from the farm to the fork,” she said in a news release.
Participants will gain hands-on exposure to cutting-edge agricultural technologies, food innovation and business principles that connect agriculture to nutrition and entrepreneurship, Haynie said.
Camp participants will:
Tour state-of-the-art, AI-enabled agricultural equipment, exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming modern farming and agribusiness.
Engage in a hands-on agricultural economics activity, where they will analyze commodity prices and learn how market forces shape food systems.
Visit Magnolia Food Hall in Pine Bluff, where they will participate in a live cooking demonstration facilitated by W. Jinnings Burruss Jr., Ed.D, assistant professor of food service at UAPB.
“The goal of this workshop is to expose students to the full agricultural value chain,” said Haynie. “We want them to see that agriculture is not just about farming — it’s also about innovation, business ownership, food sovereignty and creating sustainable solutions for communities.” This collaborative initiative aligns with UAPB’s commitment to prepare the next generation of food and agricultural leaders, while supporting NBGC’s mission to empower Black growers and inspire youth engagement in agriculture, she said.
For more information about the Food and Nutrition Entrepreneurship Camp or to learn how to partner on future youth development initiatives, contact Haynie at hayniek@uapb.edu.