Committee advances Oklahoma Local Food for Schools program; sponsors say state fund already seeded

Senate Bill 985, which establishes the Oklahoma Local Food for Schools Program and a fund to facilitate purchases of locally produced foods by school districts, advanced out of the Agriculture Committee unanimously.

Sponsor Senator Thompson told the committee the program directs the Department of Agriculture to operate the program; she said the department already received a state appropriation of $3,200,000 last year and that applications open the day of the meeting. Committee testimony said roughly 248 schools used the program last year and more than 100 producers participated.

The nut graf: sponsors and supporters framed the bill as a way to get higher‑quality, minimally processed local foods into schools while supporting local producers; committee members asked whether federal procurement rules would restrict use of the fund — the sponsor said the program uses state dollars and is not constrained by federal National School Lunch Program purchase restrictions.

Several senators supported the bill as a way to improve school meals and to expand market opportunities for producers; the committee recorded an 11‑0 vote to advance the bill.

The sponsor urged districts and producers to apply; committee members said they expect the department to continue outreach and to track participation.