Arkansas Winners of Farm to School Kitchen Equipment Grant Program Announced

Kids around the state of Arkansas are making a difference for themselves and their classmates with this special program. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture recently announced the winners of the 2024 Farm to School Kitchen Equipment Grant Program.

Through the program, these schools will serve more specialty crops to the students and also through other programs that help with the feeding and meals of students throughout the year.

Congratulations to the winners!

Batesville High School, Independence County
Good Morning Sunshine Preschool, Yell County
Gurdon Public Schools, Clark County
Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center, Washington County
Marshall High School, Searcy County
Mountain View School District, Stone County
Mrs. Krystal’s Preschool, Sharp County
Rivercrest School District, Mississippi County
Salem High School, Fulton County
Shirley School District, Van Buren County
University District Development Corporation/Oak Forest Community Garden, Pulaski County

These schools and the students will benefit from the money granted to this program. The Arkansas Agriculture Department will give over $41,000 in grants to these public and private K-12 schools throughout the state. It will also provide provisions for early childhood education facilities and alternative learning environments. The funds will directly help 3,993 students in 11 counties across the state.

Arkansas Farm to School Coordinator Jessica Chapman stated in a press release the importance of this program,

Farm to school is most impactful when schools are able to connect all three pillars – school gardens, education, and local procurement. We are pleased to administer the new Farm to School Kitchen Equipment Grant Program to provide an opportunity for schools to start or expand on local procurement efforts in their school cafeterias.

 

The Farm to School Kitchen Equipment Grant began only a year ago in 2023 The winning schools will receive grants of up to $5,000. They will be able to purchase equipment and help improve their school's food quality from the foods grown at the schools' gardens.

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