Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders launches plan to connect Arkansas food producers and schools

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced a plan on Thursday that will connect food producers with schools to provide locally sourced meals.

A spokesperson stated that the plan is designed to enhance nutrition while strengthening the state agriculture connection.

The Arkansas Plate Initiative will pilot in five school districts during the 2025–2026 school year, officials said, featuring monthly “Arkansas Plate Days” where cafeterias will serve meals highlighting Arkansas-grown ingredients, such as poultry, catfish, beef, rice, and edamame, alongside seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables.

Officials continued that beginning in January 2026, participating districts will serve one Arkansas Plate meal per month. Feedback and purchasing data will be collected to evaluate program impact, with plans to expand to additional schools statewide during the 2026–2027 school year.

The governor said the plan has a two-fold advantage, as it produces meals and teaches about an important state industry.

“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,” the governor said. “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.”

The initiative comes on the heels of the free school breakfast program, signed into law in February, and the farm-to-school pilot program announced in June.