Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced a new farm-to-school program launching in Marion School District for the upcoming 2025-26 school year that will use Arkansas Department of Corrections facilities to grow fresh produce for students.
The innovative program, created by Sanders’ faith-based initiatives office in partnership with the Arkansas departments of corrections, agriculture and education, will enable the corrections department’s facilities in Newport to participate in Arkansas’ agriculture industry and help harvest fresh produce for Marion students’ school breakfasts and lunches.
“Combating food insecurity — especially among kids — is a top priority for my administration, and this program can be a model for our state,” Sanders said. “I am proud of our faith-based initiatives office for spearheading the development of this innovative program that will provide students with fresh, nutritious produce and give the prisons an opportunity to contribute positively to their communities.”…