Governor Sanders announces $564,000 in school nutrition equipment grants: helping schools serve more Arkansas-grown products
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture announced on October 21 more than $564,000 in equipment grant funding to help Arkansas schools expand access to nutritious meals, increase the use of Arkansas-grown products and boost participation in school nutrition programs.
The grants are open to schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs and fund equipment that improves food preparation, storage, transportation and service. Eligible equipment includes blenders and freezers for smoothies featuring Arkansas-grown produce; ovens, warmers and rice cookers for breakfast bowls made with Arkansas ingredients; refrigerated storage, prep equipment and cold-holding units for fresh fruits and vegetables; and equipment that enhances food safety, energy efficiency and meal quality. Schools will be selected through a competitive process evaluating project impact, equipment need, food safety, breakfast expansion, use of Arkansas products and service to students with the greatest need.
Sanders said Arkansas made school breakfast free for every public school student last year and launched the Arkansas Plate initiative to feature more Arkansas-grown products on student trays, and that the grants build on that work. Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward said providing schools with the equipment they need is an investment in both Arkansas students and Arkansas agriculture. School administrators and nutrition directors may apply through the Department of Agriculture; applications for the Breakfast Equipment Expansion Grant are due November 6, 2026, and for the USDA Equipment Assistance Grant on November 20, 2026. Awardees will also receive training and technical assistance.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 位于 Little Rock 的阿肯色州议会大厦。摄影：w_lemay，CC BY-SA 2.0，来源：Wikimedia Commons
