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Oklahoma Farm-to-School News:

Farm To School Program Launches New Website

November 8, 2008

The state agriculture department has created an Oklahoma Farm to School website to give schools, agricultural producers and others an inside look at its program designed to put Oklahoma foods in our school lunch programs.

Located at www.okfarmtoschool.com, the website offers Oklahomans a chance to become involved with the program and learn about efforts to help schools connect with local farmers and provide children with fresh, locally grown foods. State Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach said in addition to improving students' diets, Farm to School helps connect them with local farmers.

"This is a great way to help teach kids about agriculture, where their food comes from and how it gets from the farm to their plates," he said. "We also believe that by substituting fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables for some of the more processed foods we are teaching them about improved nutrition and fighting childhood obesity."

The Farm to School program complements the nationwide trend toward eating more locally grown foods and supporting local agriculture, Peach said. As a result, the program's advocates include many stakeholders ranging from parents to advocates of locally produced foods.

"About the only thing that limits our abilities in this area is that many of our fruits and vegetables are grown in relatively short seasons," he said. "We are hoping to increase our capabilities of production through increased use of greenhouse technologies and will be going to Israel in the near future to learn some of their methods in this area."

Chris Kirby, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry Farm to School coordinator said the program also promotes the image of Oklahoma, the value of Oklahoma products, and nutrition in schools across the state while increasing awareness and demand for Oklahoma produce and products.

"The site was many months in the making but it was our goal to make it a site that people will visit often to see the latest farm to school news and find out about current activities," she said. "If anyone wants to become involved, this is a good place to begin."

For more information, contact Chris Kirby at 405.522.2106 or chris.kirby@oda.state.ok.us.