The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has received a donation of 10 commercial rice cookers from the USA Rice Federation to support the Rice in Schools Program. This program aims to expand the ability of participating schools across Arkansas to serve meals featuring locally grown rice.
The donated cookers are expected to help schools prepare rice-based dishes more efficiently and improve students’ access to nutritious, locally sourced foods. The initiative also seeks to connect students with Arkansas agriculture.
“Through Arkansas Rice in Schools, a key part of the Arkansas Plate Initiative, we’re increasing the use of Arkansas-grown rice in school meals while strengthening the connection between students, agriculture, and good nutrition,” said Governor Sanders. “I’m grateful to USA Rice for expanding this effort and investing in both our farmers and the next generation.”
Peter Bachmann, President and CEO of USA Rice, stated: “We are grateful that we have the opportunity to support Governor Sanders’ Rice in Schools Program this year. This first of its kind rice initiative will propel Arkansas from not only the top rice producing state, but to the state with the highest utilization rate in its schools. Additionally, the initiative will foster a better connection for students to where their food comes from and increase their understanding around nutrition.”
Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward commented on how these resources would benefit educational institutions statewide. “USA Rice’s generous donation of these rice cookers will make a real difference for schools and students across Arkansas,” Ward said. “With Governor Sanders’ strong support for agriculture and nutrition, partnerships like this allow us to connect our farmers to our classrooms and ensure students have access to healthy, Arkansas-grown food.”
The ten cookers will be distributed among Atkins Middle School (Atkins), Batesville High School (Batesville), Brookland Jr. High School/Brookland High School (Brookland), Corning Public Schools (Corning), Dover School District (Dover), Frank Mitchell Intermediate School (Vilonia), Harrison School District (Harrison), Nettleton Jr. High School (Jonesboro), Siloam Springs High School (Siloam Springs) and Ward Central Elementary School (Cabot).
During the 2025–2026 academic year, twenty schools serving over 11,400 students daily are taking part in this program. None previously had dedicated rice cookers; ten identified them as essential equipment needed for integrating more rice into meal offerings.
USA Rice has also provided recipes, educational materials, and technical assistance as part of its broader support for implementing the program.
Launched by Governor Sanders in September 2025 as part of the Arkansas Plate Initiative—a statewide campaign connecting producers with communities through local foods—the program includes cooking demonstrations (“demo days”) using local ingredients along with classroom lessons about agriculture and nutrition.
Ward Central Elementary was first to host such an event with a fried rice recipe that included multiple ingredients produced within Arkansas; 74 percent of participating K-4th grade students reported enjoying it.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture focuses on supporting farming while ensuring safe food production statewide. The department also promotes conservation practices like prescribed fires for land management and oversees programs related to animal care, crop management, forest protection, natural resource oversight and agricultural research—all aimed at maintaining agriculture as one of Arkansas’s leading industries.
