2004 Essay Contest:
Why Schools Should Serve Locally-Grown Foods

Honorable Mention -- Holly Goralewicz Okarche High School

What Am I Eating?

Over the summer, I was fortunate to work at Field Trips Etc., a family owned and operated business providing various educational tours to young children in the community. One of the most popular tours was the Pizza Farm. Touted as a "tasty slice of fun & education" it is a half-acre circular pizza-shaped organic garden divided into "8 large slices like a real pizza." All crops grown at the Pizza Farm represent various ingredients of a pizza. Cows and pigs represent the cheese and pepperoni ingredients. The tour’s purpose is to teach children about Oklahoma agriculture through one of their favorite foods — pizza. After each tour, children ate pizza knowing where their food came from and the hard work invested in their meal. As a tour guide, I was amazed at how many kids did not know where their food came from. One little girl said that milk and cheese came from grocery stores. She left the tour with a better understanding and appreciation for farming and eating fresh and nutritious foods. In turn, I earned money for college and the owners made their living by operating their farm and selling their produce.

I believe similar programs should be offered through Oklahoma schools by adopting farm to school programs whereby schools introduce locally grown food as a part of school lunches. School goes beyond teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic. Schools offer programs such as D.A.R.E. to enrich the student body. However, with the exception of information briefly taught in science courses, or mutely declared by posters on the wall, little is taught about nutrition. The innovative farm to school programs change this. The policy behind these programs includes the value of nutrition and the importance of community support. Seventeen states already practice this new program. Curiously, Oklahoma, an agricultural state, has not joined them. Oklahoma schools should seriously consider adopting this new policy for the following reasons.

Students’ diets lack adequate nutrition. Many students understandably find their school cafeteria’s menu, and Thursday’s mystery meat unappealing. As a result, they skip meals or turn to vending machines for meals. Other schools set up venders serving fast foods like nachos and corn dogs. This diet is unhealthy. Bringing locally grown foods into the school’s lunch system will encourage students to eat in the cafeteria and adopt healthier eating habits. Fresh food would unarguably make the meals nutritious and appealing. In addition, the quality of the food will improve. If grown locally, the food will not require as many preservatives and will often be organically grown. Also, students will enjoy a variety of produce depending on the crop in season.

Money also factors into the equation. In the past, it has been less expensive to buy food in bulk from out of state. In the long run, however, buying in state is financially more beneficial. Showcasing local farms within the schools is an investment in our community and future. Instead of sending money out of state to purchase food, our economy will grow if we spend our money in our home state. Also, the cost of transporting out of state foods into our state would be eliminated. People will financially support the program because they do not want to invest their money in processed and out of state food for ethical reasons. For example, some object to the harsh and cruel conditions in which meat and dairy animals are raised. Money would remain in the local economy and the students would receive a higher quality of nutrition. While working at Field Trips Etc., I witnessed first hand the potential of mutually beneficial policies and programs. A local family supported itself, provided income to employees and educated children on food production and nutrition.

Other programs regarding agriculture, health, and sciences can emerge. For example, students or classes may volunteer or work at local farms allowing students to acquire work experience and contribute to the community. In addition, it gives them an appreciation for the work and effort which goes into placing food on our tables. Learning how and where food is grown can become a part of a student’s education. In addition, increased awareness might lead to more humane or healthful methods of production.

Hands on experiences are very influential. Farm to school can have a positive effect on present and future nutritional lifestyles. In fact, after each of my tours through the pizza farm, I witnessed kids getting excited about putting their new knowledge to the test. With all the health professionals decrying the "obesity epidemic" in America, farm to school can prove a valuable weapon as we battle our way back from becoming a nation of "junk food junkies."

Finally, the sense of community is an essential ingredient of farm to school programs. Students in schools can experience their community prospering and learn a lesson in economics. Farmers gain business and income. In return, schools provide fresher and more nutritious foods. Students then become more aware of nutrition, acquire healthier eating habits and learn about food production. The economy grows by keeping purchasing power in state. Like the circle shaped pizza, we have all of the ingredients in Oklahoma to adopt and implement farm to school programs. As an agricultural state, farmers are seeking new and innovative markets to survive, prosper and thrive. Schools can become that market. Students need to learn and live a healthier lifestyle by eating nutritious and balanced diets. Local farmers can facilitate the education of healthy living. Oklahoma is seeking alternative and innovative ways to prosper economically and reduce the health costs associated with poor diets. Schools and farmers can work together to preserve our agricultural culture, facilitate economic growth and lay the ground work for a healthier society. In conclusion, students, schools, farmers, local communities and the Oklahoma economy and culture benefit from "farm to school" policy. Working together, we can come full circle and get back to basics and our heritage of growing and eating locally grown food.

Resources

1.) Gerald Ashby of Field Trips Etc.
2.) Oklahoma Food Organization (www.oklahomafood.org)
3.) Oklahoma State University Extension Office