Push to get healthy, local food in Oklahoma schools

State lawmakers and the State Department of Agriculture and Forestry are working to partner local food producers with Oklahoma schools to expand the program “Local Food for Schools.”

Sen. Kristen Thompson (R) Edmond, has introduced Senate Bill 985, emphasizing clean and healthy foods produced right here in Oklahoma.

“It is a win-win for both the schools and the local producers,” said Thompson.

Thompson is working with Blayne Arthur, the Secretary of Agriculture, on the logistics of the program.

“We're helping ensure that students are fed well to achieve academically, but then also serving our farmers and ranchers which I think is important to all of us here in Oklahoma,” said Blayne Arthur, Secretary of Agriculture. “We want kids to say, ‘Hey, today on the salad bar, those were leafy greens that were raised just a couple of miles away from school.”

This will also help educate the next generation of farmers and ranchers.

“I think if you start introducing these ideas early on, they may very well take an interest and then that could impact their career path,” said Thompson.

While they’re looking at the issue from the state capitol, Thompson and Arthur are both moms with kids in public school.

“Full bellies are good bellies, right? You can learn better when you're full but also knowing they can get the nutrients they need for development is so incredibly important not only to education, but also just as a mom, I have a heart for that,” said Sen. Thompson.

About 84% of Oklahoma students receive free or reduced lunch during the school year.

“We know that their meals at school may very well be their only high-quality meal that day, so we want to make sure we're feeding them nutritious foods,” said Sen. Thompson.

They’re hoping this program will provide benefits for the schools and local producers, and ultimately the state of Oklahoma.

“Everybody rowing together hopefully to increase the opportunity for our students but also for our processors,” said Arthur.