FRESH Network: Assisting Mansfield Schools with Understanding Contanimants in School Meals and Transitioning to Better Food Systems

Project Abstract
Mansfield School District (Arkansas)
FRESH Network: Assisting Mansfield Schools with Understanding Contaminants in
School Meals and Transitioning to Better Food Systems
Across Arkansas and much of the country, school meals are often heavily reliant on ultra-
processed foods—items high in sodium, additives, and preservatives that can negatively
impact children’s long-term health and cognitive development. At the same time, Arkansas
is a state rich in agricultural resources, presenting a powerful opportunity to reimagine
school food systems using local, scratch-cooked, and nutritionally dense meals.
This project, supported by the FDA Research Study of Contaminants in School Meals
(U18), will pilot a transformative school meal model in participating districts across
Arkansas. The project includes nutritional and contaminant testing of both vendor-
supplied and scratch-cooked meals, robust student engagement through taste tests and
surveys, and professional development for school nutrition teams. Funding will also
support the purchase of critical equipment like combi ovens, the integration of farm-fresh
ingredients, and the development of aligned curriculum for CTE and health-related
classes.
Led in partnership with Wellness in the School, Thaden School and Healthy Flavors
Arkansas, the project will generate data-driven insights on student preferences, meal
quality, and health outcomes. The initiative aims to empower schools to improve food
safety, nutrition, and engagement while fostering sustainable, community-rooted food
systems that can serve as a national model.

Grant Number: 1U18FD008660-01
NIH Institute/Center: FDA
Principal Investigator: Kimberly Arnold