Farm to School grant from the United States Department of Agriculture

The Department of Nutrition & Family Sciences at the University of Central Arkansas is proud to support Healthy Flavors Arkansas LLC in the implementation of a $99,996 Farm to School grant from the United States Department of Agriculture. Healthy Flavors Arkansas is developing a scale focused farm to school program serving multiple public school districts in the Central Arkansas region. The goal is to minimize multiple challenges faced on the farm and in schools by initially growing and selling a single crop, purple hull peas, that can be harvested, packaged, stored, and used in districts throughout the school year at affordable price points. Proceeds from sales of the peas will be invested back in curriculum development and implementation in districts that choose to partner, targeting resource sustainability of the program over time. Supporting institutions include the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, the University of
Central Arkansas, and the Arch Ford Educational Services Cooperative. The Department of Nutrition & Family Sciences will hire Graduate Research Assistants to develop curriculum targeting 3rd, 7th, and 10th grades and recipes aligned with National School Lunch guidelines. The Graduate Research Assistants will then collaborate with the school’s foodservice directors to implement the curriculum and recipes. Farm to School is a United States Department of Agriculture initiative promoting a stronger local food economy, built by connecting agricultural producers in a community with classrooms and school cafeterias.
According to The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Arkansas has developed a high rate of childhood obesity and ranks #5 in the nation. Obesity rates rise into adulthood, where the population is ranked at #3. The Healthy Flavors Arkansas initiative aims to educate our population about nutrition and healthy eating as a means of combating obesity and restoring health through proactive, natural, and personal based initiatives.