Little Rock, Arkansas – In a major push to connect Arkansas agriculture with student nutrition, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has officially launched the Arkansas Plate Initiative. This new statewide program aims to bring healthy, locally grown food to school cafeterias across the state, starting with a pilot during the 2025–2026 school year. The initiative, created after Arkansas took over management of federal nutrition programs earlier this year, seeks to improve child nutrition while simultaneously boosting the state’s farming economy.
“Arkansas students deserve access to healthy, nutritious foods at school, and the Arkansas Plate Initiative shows meaningful progress in our effort to improve child nutrition and support our farmers and producers across the state,” said Governor Sanders. “Not only will this program give students access to fresh, locally sourced products, but it will also teach them about Arkansas’ largest industry and what it takes to keep it.”
Bringing Arkansas Farms Into School Cafeterias
The Arkansas Plate Initiative will begin with five pilot school districts during the 2025–2026 academic year. These districts will celebrate “Arkansas Plate Days” once a month, featuring meals built around locally grown and raised products. The menu may include Arkansas poultry, catfish, beef, rice, and edamame, alongside fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables sourced from within the state.
“The Arkansas Plate Initiative brings together nutrition services, farm to school initiatives, and agricultural partners with a shared goal: making Arkansas-grown food a regular part of school meals across the state,” said 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.”
As part of the program, participating schools will receive educational materials, posters, and “Meet the Farmer” profiles designed to help students understand where their food comes from and to highlight the importance of local agriculture. This effort combines learning with nourishment, aiming to make children more aware of the value of agriculture while ensuring they are well-fed.
Supporting Students Through Policy and Partnerships
The Arkansas Plate Initiative is only the latest in a series of steps the governor has taken to combat food insecurity and strengthen nutrition in schools. In the most recent legislative session, Governor Sanders signed SB59, which requires all public schools to serve one free breakfast per day to every student, regardless of income. She had previously signed legislation that covers the cost of school lunches for students who qualify for reduced-price meals.
“Arkansas schools benefit from nutritious meals and close relationships with local farmers,” said Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva. “Thanks to Governor Sanders’ leadership, every Arkansas student can begin the school day with a nutritious breakfast. Now, the Arkansas Plate Initiative will allow students to enjoy more Arkansas-grown food while engaging farmers in their community.”
The state is also moving forward with a farm-to-school pilot developed by the governor’s faith-based initiatives office, with the goal of delivering fresh produce to students. Additionally, Governor Sanders reaffirmed earlier this year that Arkansas will continue to operate the Summer EBT program, which ensures that students who rely on school meals do not go hungry during summer break.
A Long-Term Strategy for Health and Agriculture
Once launched, the Arkansas Plate Initiative will collect data from participating schools, including purchasing records and student feedback, to evaluate its impact. The plan is to expand the program statewide in the 2026–2027 school year, eventually making Arkansas-grown food a permanent and essential part of every school menu.
Together, these initiatives reflect a long-term vision of strengthening both student wellness and Arkansas agriculture. By encouraging school districts to buy and serve locally sourced food, state leaders are betting that the Arkansas Plate Initiative can nourish children while also nurturing the state’s farming communities.
