New Arkansas program aims to tackle childhood hunger in the south

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A new farm-to-school pilot program is set to launch in Arkansas for the 2025 to 2026 school year, and state officials say it could become a model for tackling childhood hunger across the south.

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the initiative this week, which will debut in the Marion School District.

The pilot program is spearheaded by the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based Initiatives in partnership with the Arkansas Departments of Corrections, Agriculture, and Education.

Under the plan, inmates at correctional facilities in Newport will help grow and harvest fresh produce that will be served in school breakfasts and lunches for Marion students.

“Combatting food insecurity — especially among kids — is a top priority for my administration,” said Governor Sanders. “This program can be a model for our state.”

The produce list includes everything from sweet potatoes and tomatoes to strawberries, watermelon, and even kale.

Officials say the goal is to bring fresh, nutritious options directly into school cafeterias, while also giving inmates an opportunity to contribute positively to their communities.

In addition to supporting student nutrition, any excess produce not used in schools may be donated to food pantries or nonprofit organizations, thanks to the recently signed Good Neighbor Act, which expands liability protections for food donors.

The pilot program adds to a series of recent policy efforts in Arkansas to fight food insecurity. Earlier this year, Governor Sanders signed SB59, requiring all public schools in the state to offer one free breakfast per student per school day—regardless of federal eligibility.

Arkansas is now the first state in the south to implement such a law.

Other efforts include expanded free lunch coverage for reduced-price students and continuation of the Summer EBT program, which helps ensure children have access to food outside of the school year.