Marion, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has announced the launch of a new farm-to-school initiative in the Marion School District, beginning with the 2025–26 school year. This new program, described as innovative and deeply collaborative, will harness the agricultural capabilities of Arkansas Department of Corrections facilities in Newport to grow and harvest fresh produce for school meals.
This unique program is the result of a partnership between the Governor’s Faith-Based Initiatives office and several key state agencies, including the Arkansas Department of Corrections, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Education. It is designed not only to provide nutritious food to students but also to allow incarcerated individuals to give back to society through meaningful work.
“Combatting food insecurity — especially among kids — is a top priority for my administration, and this program can be a model for our state,” said Governor Sanders. “I am proud of our faith-based initiatives office for spearheading the development of this innovative program that will provide students with fresh, nutritious produce and give the prisons an opportunity to contribute positively to their communities.”
Cross-Agency Cooperation Aimed at Nutrition and Rehabilitation
Leaders across participating agencies highlighted the dual purpose of the program — nourishing children while engaging inmates in service-driven agriculture.
“We are honored to partner with Governor Sanders to support children in Arkansas,” said Lindsay Wallace, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Corrections. “This pilot program offers a way for the Department to give back to the community by addressing food insecurity for future generations.”
Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva praised the program’s impact on wellness and educational equity: “This pilot program exemplifies the kind of cross-agency innovation that supports both student success and community well-being. By bringing fresh, locally grown food directly to our schools, we’re not only strengthening nutrition and wellness in the classroom — we’re also making real-world farm to school connections.”
Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward added, “Agriculture is our state’s largest industry and Arkansas is blessed with the natural ability for diverse agricultural production to include fresh and nutritious fruits and vegetables that are so important for students. I’m thankful for the Governor’s leadership and excited to work with Secretary Wallace and Secretary Olivia to achieve meaningful improvements in food insecurity rates.”
Students in the Marion School District will soon benefit from a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables including tomatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, corn, watermelon, strawberries, kale, potatoes, onions, squash, zucchini, okra, cucumbers, pumpkins, and blueberries.
Additional Legislative Support for Childhood Nutrition
The initiative builds upon recent legislation supported and signed by Governor Sanders. The Good Neighbor Act now allows schools to donate any unused food to local food banks and charities without fear of legal liability. Additionally, SB59 mandates that every Arkansas public school provide one free breakfast per student each school day, regardless of federal eligibility — making Arkansas the first Southern state to offer such a guarantee.
Governor Sanders has also signed laws providing free lunches to students who previously qualified only for reduced-price meals. The state’s continued participation in the Summer EBT program ensures food access doesn’t lapse when school is out.
Through the work of her Faith-Based Initiatives team, Sanders has pushed for practical, community-driven solutions that bridge policy with service. Since its launch, the office has focused on tackling key social issues like maternal health, hunger, and foster care by working hand-in-hand with religious communities and civic leaders across Arkansas.
This farm-to-school initiative is expected to become a model for other districts across the state — potentially reshaping how Arkansas feeds its students and uses state resources for public good.
