Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the launch of the Arkansas Plate Initiative, a statewide effort aimed at connecting Arkansas producers with schools to provide students with nutritious meals made from locally grown products.
The initiative was designed to improve nutrition across the state and strengthen the relationship between Arkansas agriculture and students, following the transition of federal nutrition programs to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture earlier this year.
“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.”
Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward said the initiative unites nutrition services, farm-to-school programs, and agricultural partners with a shared goal of incorporating Arkansas-grown food into school meals.
“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,” he said.
Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva emphasized the educational and nutritional benefits of the program. “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,” he said.
The Arkansas Plate Initiative will pilot in five school districts during the 2025–2026 school year, featuring monthly “Arkansas Plate Days” where cafeterias will serve meals highlighting state-grown ingredients such as poultry, catfish, beef, rice, and edamame, alongside seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Starting in January 2026, participating districts will serve one Arkansas Plate meal per month. The program will collect feedback and purchasing data to evaluate its impact, with plans to expand statewide during the 2026–2027 school year.
Participating schools will also receive educational materials, promotional signage, and “Meet the Farmer” profiles to help students learn more about where their food comes from and the value of supporting local agriculture.
This initiative builds on other nutrition-focused programs championed by Governor Sanders, including a farm-to-school pilot launched earlier this year, Senate Bill 59 mandating free breakfasts for all Arkansas public school students, and continued support for the Summer EBT program to ensure access to food during summer months.
Together, these efforts represent a long-term strategy to strengthen local food systems, promote Arkansas agriculture, and provide students with nutritious, locally sourced meals throughout the school year.