Little Rock – A new program to serve more locally produced foods grown by Arkansas farmers is set to begin in select schools this January.  The Arkansas Plate Initiative is a state-wide effort to connect Arkansas producers with state schools to provide students with nutritious, locally sourced meals made from Arkansas-grown products.  According to Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward, “by helping schools’ source more products from Arkansas farmers and producers, we’re supporting our state’s largest industry, improving access to healthy meals for students, and strengthening local communities”.

Beginning in January 2026, participating school districts will serve one Arkansas Plate meal per month.  Participating cafeterias will serve meals featuring locally grown ingredients like rice, beef, poultry, catfish, edamame, and assorted seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables.

During the pilot year, the state will collect feedback and purchasing data to evaluate the program for future growth.  The goal is to expand the initiative into additional schools across the state in the 2026-2027 school year.  Educational materials will also be made available to the participating schools with promotional signs and “Meet the Farmer” profiles to teach students about where their food comes from and about the importance of supporting local agriculture.  

The objective is to create a long-term strategy to institutionalize local food purchasing in Arkansas schools and ensure that Arkansas-grown products are an integral part of school and community food systems.  To learn more about the Arkansas Plate Initiative visit the website at: https://arfarmtoschool.org/.

In 2019 The Arkansas Legislature approved Act 506, to create a full-time farm to school coordinator with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.  The purpose of the program was to help schools establish and maintain gardens, provide resources for classroom education and activities related to food, farms, nutrition, and health and creating connections that allow local foods to be purchased and promoted in cafeterias.  The program concentrates on gardening in schools.  The Farm to School Coordinator is encouraged the program has been a success, but it takes a “circle of support” that includes school administration, teachers, and the community.  Student outcomes from hands-on experiences in the garden have deepened their understanding of agriculture, responsibility and teamwork.  Farm to school empowers children and their families to make informed food choices while strengthening the local economy.

This past legislative session, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed SB59 requiring all Arkansas public schools to provide one free breakfast to students per school day, regardless of their federal eligibility for free meals, and previously signed legislation providing free school lunches for eligible students who qualified for reduced price meals.   The Governor announced the state will also continue its Summer EBT program, ensuring Arkansas’ students have access to food in the summer months.