Students in the Marion School District will have a fresh new option in 2025-26: a farm-to-school program bringing healthy, locally grown fruits and vegetables to school meals.
Marion is partnering with the Arkansas Department of Corrections units in Newport for the innovative new program, which comes at no cost to the school district. Marion is the first school district in Arkansas to be able to offer this kind of farm-to-school program to students.
Students can expect to enjoy freshly grown items, including tomatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, corn, watermelon, strawberries, kale, potatoes, onions, squash, zucchini, okra, cucumbers, pumpkins, blueberries, and more on their lunch trays in the months ahead. All food items will come straight from the fields to the school district – there is no processing involved.
“We’re excited to launch this farm-to-school program and bring freshly grown fruits and vegetables straight to our students’ plates,” said Melissa Lace, child nutrition director for the Marion School District. “This is part of our ongoing commitment to providing healthy, nutritious meals that help students learn, grow, and thrive. When kids have access to fresh, high-quality food, it supports not only their physical health but also their academic success.”
The program will begin at Marion Junior High School and expand from there. Any items not used by the school can be donated to the MSD food pantry or other charitable programs.
The program was created by the Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ faith-based initiatives office in partnership with the ADC, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, and the Arkansas Department of Education.
“Combatting food insecurity — especially among kids — is a top priority for my administration, and this program can be a model for our state,” said Governor Sanders. Sanders plans to visit MJHS sometime this fall to review the program.
The Department of Corrections hopes to eventually spread the program across the state of Arkansas, pairing schools and local facilities to help supply fresh fruits and vegetables to the students.
“This pilot program exemplifies the kind of cross-agency innovation that supports both student success and community well-being,” said Jacob Oliva, Arkansas Secretary of Education. “By bringing fresh, locally grown food directly to our schools, we’re not only strengthening nutrition and wellness in the classroom — we’re also making real-world farm-to-school connections. We’re proud to partner in this effort to combat food insecurity and support our students in every way possible.”
The Marion School District is an innovative and growing district that ensures an equitable, engaging learning community where every student is empowered to achieve academic excellence and personal growth. With more than 150 years of experience serving families in Crittenden County, the district offers a high school, a junior high, a seventh grade academy, and three award-winning magnet schools. For enrollment information, including information on school choice, visit https://www.msd3.org/ or call 870-739-5100.