Community partners open Food Is Medicine pantry at Saline Memorial Hospital
August 13, 2026
New pantry connects patients with free healthy food and nutrition resources
BENTON, Ark. (Aug. 13, 2026) – Saline Health System and the Tea Rose Community Collaborative opened the Food Is Medicine Choice Pantry at Saline Memorial Hospital on Wednesday in a joint effort to fight food insecurity and provide nutrition resources for those battling chronic conditions.
Physicians and nurse practitioners in communities served by the hospital can refer patients to the pantry for access to free food, as well as recipes and healthy eating tips provided by the registered dietitians at Saline Memorial Hospital. The nutritional guidance is designed to support patients with special nutritional needs related to diabetes, high blood pressure, weight management and wound healing.
Hospital case managers can also refer patients as part of the hospital discharge process.
“When we talk about healing, we’re not just talking about medicine,” said Char Boulch, CEO of Saline Health System. “We’re talking about the everyday things that help a body recover — nourishment, stability and knowing your community is behind you. This pantry is one more way we show our neighbors that their health matters and that they don’t have to face these challenges alone.”
The pantry is a part of the Arkansas Foodbank’s Food Is Medicine program. Central and southern Arkansas currently has 10 active Food Is Medicine pantries, including five at other healthcare facilities, with seven more already in the pipeline, according to Austin Sublett, community programs manager at the Arkansas Foodbank.
“Together, we recognize the critical role that proper nutrition and access to healthy food play in improving health outcomes,” Sublett said. “We are grateful for and proud of the dedication shown by Saline Memorial Hospital, our Arkansas Foodbank Program team, and the many neighbors who come together to help neighbors.”
The pantry also reflects a broader community effort to address the factors that can make it difficult for people to maintain their health outside of a healthcare setting, according to Teri Todd, president of the Tea Rose Community Collaborative, an affiliated foundation of the Saline County chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. ®
“The pantry is a meaningful example of what can happen when community partners come together to address a need that affects the health and quality of life of our neighbors,” Todd said. “Through this partnership, we have an opportunity to help make healthy food more accessible while supporting individuals and families as they work toward better health. We are proud to be part of an effort that brings healthcare and community resources together to serve Saline County.”
About Tea Rose Community Collaborative
The Tea Rose Community Collaborative (TRCC), the charitable foundation affiliated with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Alpha Alpha Rho Omega Chapter, is dedicated to advancing education, health, and community service throughout Saline County.
About Arkansas Foodbank
Arkansas Foodbank is the state's largest hunger-relief organization, serving 33 counties across central and southern Arkansas. Through a network of food pantries, meal programs, schools, colleges, and other community partners, Arkansas Foodbank works to provide nutritious food and resources to people facing hunger while advancing long-term solutions to food insecurity. Learn more at arkansasfoodbank.org.
About Saline Memorial Hospital
Saline Health System, a part of Lifepoint Health, is made up of Saline Memorial Hospital, a 177-bed acute care facility, and Saline Clinics, a network of primary care and specialty clinics. Saline Memorial Hospital has been caring for Saline County and its surrounding communities for more than 70 years. Saline Memorial Hospital is proud to be recognized as a Leapfrog Grade “A” Hospital for its commitment to patient safety and with the Platinum Performance Achievement Award from the Chest Pain-MI Registry for delivering the highest quality care for cardiac patients. The hospital is accredited through The Joint Commission for meeting quality and safety standards, the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center, the MBSAQIP as a bariatric surgery center, Optum in the Bariatric Centers of Excellence network, CARF as a rehabilitation center and the AASM as a sleep center.
More information about Saline Memorial Hospital is available at 501.776.6000 or online at SalineMemorial.org. More information about Lifepoint Health is available at LifepointHealth.net.