Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, along with the Arkansas Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture, announced the School Food Pantry Toolkit to help schools set up food pantries and reduce food waste. The toolkit — created by Governor Sanders’ Faith-Based Initiatives office — provides school districts with step-by-step instructions, quick tips, and resources to make it easier to establish food pantries and ensure no food goes to waste.
“Combatting childhood hunger is a top priority for my administration and this toolkit helps Arkansans make a difference in their own communities,” said Governor Sanders.
The initiative builds on the Good Neighbor Act, which expands liability protections for food donors to encourage more donations to those in need.
“Addressing the needs of the whole child is essential to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed,” said Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva. “The School Food Pantry Toolkit empowers districts to take meaningful steps in supporting students and families, and it represents another important stride in fostering healthy, thriving school communities across Arkansas.”
Conduit supported this legislation during session and is pelased to see steps like this that help the truly needy while reducing government waste.
The school food pantry toolkit is available here.
