AR HB1615

Establishes a farm to school and early childhood education program within the Arkansas Agriculture Department to improve student health, develop agricultural workforce knowledge, support local food systems, and expand school-agricultural community relationships.

Creates a full-time farm to school and early childhood education program coordinator position within the Agriculture Department to serve as administrative head and address supply, demand, procurement, and consumption of local farm and food products in schools and early childhood programs.

Defines "local farm or food products" as food products grown in Arkansas or packaged and processed in Arkansas, or both.

Requires the coordinator to implement a statewide program in collaboration with stakeholders including the Department of Education, Department of Human Services, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Department of Health, and Healthy Active Arkansas, focusing on three core elements: school gardens, food/nutrition/agriculture education, and procurement of local farm or food products for school meals and snacks.

Mandates the coordinator to prepare and submit annual reports detailing program activities to the House and Senate Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development committees beginning February 15, 2020.