LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KAIT/Edited News Release) - The Arkansas Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Education, announced Friday the transition of statewide nutrition programs to the Department of Agriculture.
The transition will go into effect Oct. 1.
According to Friday’s news release, the partnership aligns with Arkansas’s efforts to enhance collaboration between farmers, ranchers, and statewide nutrition programs to support healthy meals while promoting locally grown products and addressing food insecurity in Arkansas.
Nutrition programs transitioning to the Department of Agriculture include the following federal programs:
National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program
Child and Adult Feeding Program
Summer Food Service Program
Emergency Food Assistance Program
Commodity Supplemental Food Program
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant Program
The Department of Agriculture will now serve as the primary state agency responsible for the administration of these programs.
Arkansas Rice in Schools
As part of this transition, the department is also launching a new pilot program--Arkansas Rice in Schools--to increase the use of Arkansas-grown rice in school meal programs.
Participating districts will receive training, recipes, and classroom education from department staff.
“Transitioning our statewide nutrition programs to the Department of Agriculture is not only about good governance and streamlining the administration processes; it is also about encouraging stronger relationships between Arkansas’ farmers and the people who benefit from these programs,” said Sanders. “Additionally, the Arkansas Rice in Schools pilot program will give Arkansas students access to much-needed food while also educating them on rice production and its significant contribution to the state’s economy.”
“This transition strengthens the connection between Arkansas agriculture and statewide nutrition programs as well as Arkansas youth through the meals served in our schools,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Through the Arkansas Rice in Schools pilot, we are excited to showcase one of our state’s most important crops while ensuring students have access to nutritious, locally grown food.”
“By streamlining school food service programs under the Department of Agriculture, we allow for more innovation and efficiency, ensuring our students not only receive healthy meals, but also learn about nutrition, agriculture, and living a healthy lifestyle,” said Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva.
“The Arkansas Rice Federation appreciates the Governor and her team’s efforts to increase the use of nutritious, home-grown rice in our schools,” said Dow Brantley, rice farmer and chair of the Arkansas Rice Federation. “Arkansas grows more than 50% of the nation’s rice, and we encourage our fellow Arkansans to take advantage of the healthy grain grown by your neighbors.”
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