A program that aims to ease the way for schools to serve more locally produced foods grown by Arkansas farmers will begin in state schools in January, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' office said Thursday.

The statewide effort, called the Arkansas Plate Initiative, will connect farmers with schools to improve student access to nutritious, locally sourced meals and strengthen the connection between students and Arkansas farmers, according to a news release from the governor's office.

"The Arkansas Plate Initiative brings together nutrition services, farm to school initiatives, and agricultural partners with a shared goal: making Arkansas-grown food a regular part of school meals across the state," Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward said in the news release.

"By helping schools source

See Full Page