Resources

The Arkansas Rice in Schools Program brings Arkansas’s top crop straight to the cafeteria and classroom. This pilot initiative gives schools the tools to serve locally grown rice in healthy, kid-friendly meals while connecting students to the farmers who grow it.

Program Overview

Launched by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture in partnership with Arkansas Rice and USA Rice, this pilot program supports the Department’s goal of linking Arkansas agriculture with student nutrition. It is one of the first initiatives developed since the transition of federal nutrition programs to the Department.

In November 2025, the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board provided $15,000 in funding to help schools integrate Arkansas-grown rice into their meal programs. This support is helping provide equipment such as rice cookers and other resources to participating schools.

Participating schools will:

• Host a “demo day” led by program coordinators to introduce rice-based menu options and engage students through interactive learning and taste tests.
• Feature Arkansas-grown rice in school meals at least once a month.
• Participate in hands-on cooking demonstrations and cafeteria staff training.
• Integrate classroom lessons on agriculture, nutrition, and Arkansas farming.

Throughout the pilot year, data and feedback from participating schools will help shape future program expansion and recipe development.

Participating Schools

The following schools have been selected to participate in the 2025–2026 pilot phase, representing districts from across Arkansas. Additional schools have expressed interest, and the Department looks forward to continued expansion in future years.

Program Benefits

The Arkansas Rice in Schools Program will deliver benefits across multiple levels:

• For Students and Families – Greater access to nutritious, affordable meals that help combat food insecurity while introducing children to healthy, locally grown options.
• For Schools and Districts – Hands-on training, recipe development, and cooking demonstrations to equip cafeteria and nutrition staff with tools to make rice dishes that students enjoy.
• For Farmers – A new opportunity to connect directly with schools and build steady, long-term demand for Arkansas-grown rice.

This initiative ensures that rice becomes a regular feature on cafeteria trays statewide, while also strengthening the fight against food insecurity in Arkansas.

Resources

• 025–2026 Participating Schools
• Arkansas Rice in Schools Guide
• Think Rice K-12 Recipes