Little Rock, Arkansas – Arkansas’ Farm-to-School pilot program reached a major milestone last week as more than 3,000 pounds of fresh sweet potatoes were delivered to the Marion School District, marking the program’s first harvest. The initiative, led by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and supported by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, brings locally grown produce directly to students while involving state correctional facilities in the process.
Approximately 30 inmates from the Arkansas Department of Corrections, participating in a regional work detail program, harvested 3,100 pounds of sweet potatoes at Matthews Sweet Potato Farm in Wynne, Arkansas. The freshly harvested produce was then transported directly to Marion School District staff, who will serve the sweet potatoes in student meals.
“My administration is laser-focused on combating food insecurity among Arkansas’ kids, and today’s announcement affirms that we are moving in the right direction,” Governor Sanders said. “Not only are our students receiving fresh, nutritious foods thanks to this program, but our prisons are positively contributing to their communities and actively fighting childhood hunger in our state. Today, we celebrate the first harvest and look forward to those to come.”
The Farm-to-School pilot program is a collaborative effort involving the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Arkansas Department of Corrections, and Arkansas Department of Education, with Marion School District serving as the pilot site for the 2025-26 school year. The initiative was created through Governor Sanders’ Faith-Based Initiatives Office, which seeks to address pressing social issues by connecting state resources with local communities.
“Governor Sanders’ Farm-to-School Pilot Program is already providing a great example of what can happen when agricultural producers, state agencies, and local school districts work together,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Arkansas’s farmers are not only some of the best producers in the world, they are also some of the most generous as evidenced by their commitment to provide safe, nutritious, and healthy food directly from the farm to the school kitchen and student plates.”
The Department of Corrections also plays a critical role in the program. “The Department of Corrections is pleased to be part of the first harvest in Governor Sanders’ Farm-to-School Pilot program, and I am appreciative of our staff for their efforts in assisting with this program,” said Arkansas Secretary of Corrections Lindsay Wallace. “The generosity and hard work of local farmers, in partnership with our staff, will continue to provide nutritious meals to Arkansas students.”
Marion School District Child Nutrition Director Melissa Lace emphasized the benefits of bringing fresh produce directly to students. “We’re excited to be a part of this Farm-to-School program and bring locally grown fruits and vegetables straight to our students’ plates,” Lace said. “This is a great way to support our ongoing commitment to providing healthy, nutritious meals that help students learn, grow, and thrive. When kids have access to fresh, high-quality food, it supports not only their physical health but also their academic success.”
Beyond providing fresh food, the program aligns with the state’s broader efforts to combat food insecurity. Earlier this year, Governor Sanders signed the Good Neighbor Act, expanding liability protections for food bank donors and allowing any unused produce from schools to be donated to food pantries or other organizations. She also signed SB59, requiring all Arkansas public schools to provide one free breakfast per school day to all students, regardless of federal eligibility for free meals.
Governor Sanders has further strengthened access to nutritious meals by continuing free lunch programs for students previously eligible for reduced-price meals and maintaining the Summer EBT program, ensuring children have access to food even outside the school year.
Since launching the Faith-Based Initiatives Office, Governor Sanders has worked to unite Arkansas’ diverse faith communities to address critical issues in the state. Through roundtables and collaborative efforts, the office has helped develop programs tackling childhood hunger, maternal health, foster care, and other social priorities. The Farm-to-School pilot program represents one of the earliest and most tangible outcomes of these efforts, demonstrating the potential impact of coordinated state and community action.
With the first harvest now complete, the Farm-to-School pilot program is set to continue delivering fresh, locally grown produce to Arkansas students while engaging farmers, correctional facilities, and school districts in a collaborative effort to fight childhood hunger.
