The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) recently launched a state-wide incentive for public schools to purchase nutritious foods from local farmers and ranchers.
The Oklahoma Local Food for School Program will reimburse schools for approved purchases of minimally processed foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, dairy and nuts.
“While expanding the market for producers, Oklahoma’s Local Food for Schools Program opens up significant opportunities for schools to give students better access to nutritious foods,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur.
The Oklahoma Local Food for Schools Program was modeled after a similar program sponsored by the federal government that showed great success during 2023 and 2024. The Oklahoma legislature has allocated $3.2 million for the program in 2025.
Schools can apply for funding through ODAFF on Feb. 10. Applications will be accepted through the web portal until the money is fully allocated.
ODAFF will also connect schools with local producers as part of this program. Producers interested in serving schools can apply with the program application.
To learn more about the program, register for the upcoming webinar on Feb. 4. For more information, contact Brady Womack at Brady.Womack@ag.ok.gov.
Webinar Registration
Program Application
The Oklahoma Farm to School Program wants to make selling food to Oklahoma’s Child Nutrition Programs easy and help facilitate a partnership between producers and schools. No matter where you’re located in Oklahoma, schools and care centers are nearby looking to source locally produced food for their menus and cafeterias. Farm to School is a great avenue for farmers to explore. It increases market opportunities for farmers, ranchers, food processors, and food manufacturers.
Start Selling to Schools Today!
Is your school ready to take the next step in your Farm to School journey by purchasing local foods?
Farm to school programs can incorporate local and seasonal foods into school meals, build school nutrition staff expertise through professional development, reduce waste, and make nutritious food accessible to all students. Activities like taste tests and cafeteria role modeling introduce students to new foods and empower them to make healthy choices.
Check out the the Current approved Producers and Meat Processors at the link below. All producers on this list have been approved by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and comply with all state and federal regulations.
Start Purchasing Local Today!
Free Resources Available for Classrooms, Cafeterias and Families
Tasteful Harvest features ready-to-go tools and resources that can be used in diverse applications to support healthy eating and daily physical activity. These tools and resources can be used in a variety of settings, including:
- Classrooms K-12
- After-school programs
- Early Care & Education Centers
- Farmers’ markets
- County Extension Educators
- Other venues for agriculture and nutrition education
Download our free resources, including the Classroom Connection, Family Connection, and Cafeteria Connection. All items have been updated in 2020 and contain current nutrition information and USDA-approved content. These educational resources were created for classrooms, cafeterias, and families to promote Oklahoma-grown vegetables and fruits offered during meals. .
Farm to ECE Resources
Tasteful Harvest Resources
