Farm to School Passes!

The Governor signed the Farm to School bill on June 7, 2006! Congratulations to one and all for the tremendous job you've done this year in bringing fresh produce to Oklahoma school students - thereby helping to reduce childhood obesity.

HB 2655

Representative Susan Winchester

Problem:  Eating high calorie, low-nutrient foods contributes to the youth obesity epidemic. Yet only 15% of Oklahomans eat the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day, ranking the state dead last in the nation!

Solution:  SB 1515 and HB 2655 create the Farm to School program to improve the nutrition of Oklahoma’s students, and create new markets for Oklahoma’s farmers, by providing schools with locally grown fresh produce. The bills create a task force to study and make recommendations concerning obstacles to the program, and create grants for school districts and local farmers to plan and implement the program.