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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Oklahoma Food Policy Council?
It is a group that advises the Oklahoma Commissioner of Agriculture on
food policy. It is a joint project of the Kerr Center for Sustainable
Agriculture and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry
(ODAFF) with support from Drake University and the USDA Risk Management
Agency. The group meets periodically in Oklahoma City.
What exactly is a food policy?
It is any decision made (or not made) by a government or institution,
which shapes the type and cost of foods used or available, influences
the opportunities for farmers and employees, or affects the food choices
available to consumers.
Do other states have food policy councils?
Such councils have been established in thirteen states under the auspices
of the State Food Policy Council cooperative partnership, supported
by the USDA Risk Management Agency through the Drake University Agricultural
Law Center. Oklahoma was one of the first states to establish a council.
Who are the members of the Oklahoma Food Policy Council?
Fifteen Oklahomans representing diverse groups with an interest in Oklahoma’s
food system make up the council (See member list at left). Current members
represent farming and ranching, food processing, retail foods, education,
and the media; as well as tribal, conservation, religious, and anti-hunger
organizations. Key staff from the ODAFF and the Kerr Center assists members.
When was it established?
The council was established on October 16, 2001, by then Agriculture Commissioner
Dennis Howard at the Kerr Center’s Bringing in the Sheaves symposium
on hunger, farming and the fairness of the American food system. The council
enjoys continuing support from the Commissioner/Secretary of Agriculture
Terry Peach.
Why was it established?
• To broaden the discussion of issues beyond simply agricultural
production to a more comprehensive, food system-wide examination.
• To provide an opportunity for a focused examination of how state
and local government actions shape the food system.
• To create a forum in which people involved in all different parts
of the food system and government can meet to learn more about what each
one does and to consider how their actions impact other parts of the system.
• To improve nutrition and the provision of nutritional information
throughout Oklahoma.
• To create an infrastructure within the food system which will
better connect stakeholders such as food producers, consumers, communities,
food processors, marketers, and government agencies, including those agencies
which may also be consumers.
• To improve the economic status of Oklahomans involved in the
food system by creating new opportunities, increasing profitability
and ensuring that food dollars stay close to home through local processing,
enhanced distribution, direct marketing, diversification of products,
and distribution of information regarding presently under-utilized opportunities.
What can a food policy council do that is not already being done
somewhere is government?
• A food policy council can bring to the table a broader array of
interests and voices, many of whom are not typically asked to be involved
when farm and agriculture policy is discussed.
• A food policy council can examine issues– such as hunger
in the state, the nutritional well being of citizens, and how to increase
purchases of locally grown food– with fresh eyes.
• An FPC can employ a more comprehensive approach to analyzing issues,
which recognizes the interrelation between different parts of the food
system and the need to coordinate and integrate action if policy goals
are to be achieved.
What has the Oklahoma food policy council accomplished so far?
For its first project, the council examined the potential for increasing
the
amount of Oklahoma-grown and/or processed foods purchased by public
institutions in the state. A survey of institutional food service directors
was devised and mailed to 638 public institutions, 85% of which were public
schools.
The ensuing report– The Oklahoma Farm-to-School Report – contains a full analysis of the answers as well as an examination of the importance of increasing local consumption of locally produced foods. In addition, The Oklahoma Food Connection, a farm-to-school directory has been completed which contains information about Oklahoma food producers and what they grow, along with information about farmers markets, schools interested in buying locally, and a harvest calendar.
A pilot farm-to-school project began in the fall of 2004, a joint project of the Kerr Center and the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Four school districts (Broken Arrow, Edmond, Shawnee, and Tahlequah) participated in the pilot project in the 2004/2005 school year.
In 2005/2006, Tulsa and Muskogee were added to the four. The districts bought Oklahoma-grown seedless watermelons and served them during the first few weeks of school. The Oklahoma Ag-in-the-Classroom program created a fun and educational “watermelon curriculum” to be used in conjunction with the lunchtime watermelon.
Legislation creating an official Oklahoma Farm-to-School Program passed both houses of the Oklahoma legislature in May 2006. Governor Brad Henry signed the bill into law on June 7.
The bill establishes a farm-to-school program within the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture. It creates a position for a coordinator whose job is to develop the program statewide by providing information and assistance to both farmers and school food service directors, as well as advising state agencies on what is needed to make the program a success.
The bill encourages school districts to “purchase…locally and regionally produced foods in order to improve child nutrition and strengthen local and regional farm economies.”
In 2006, the program expanded greatly. Thirty-five school districts – a total of 370 schools – served Oklahoma-grown watermelons and honeydew melons in the cafeteria as part of the Oklahoma Farm-to-School Program.
Chris Kirby is the Oklahoma farm-to-school coordinator. She works to promote the program and connect farmers and schools. She can be reached at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, 405.522.2106 chris.kirby@oda.state.ok.us
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Thanks to the Iowa Food Policy Council for some of this information.
Copyright 2003-2008 - The Oklahoma Food Policy Council