Local Food for Schools Programs

Eating local food is tasty and nutritious but the benefits go far beyond savoring a juicy burger raised on the ranch down the road or crunching a carrot from our next-door neighbor. Purchasing food grown near us helps to expanding small to mid-size agriculture producers, shortens the supply chain and builds relationships. By purchasing fresh food, grown and raised by our neighbors, we help our communities grow and thrive. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is dedicated to helping farmers and ranchers expand their market outlets while helping fresh, nutritious food land on consumer’s plates. Below are current ODAFF initiatives that foster this process.

Producer Requirements: Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts and Mushrooms

Producer must be registered with ODAFF’s food safety division before being added to this list. Registration can be completed through this link.
Producer must submit all official food safety certifications and proof of insurance if carried.
- If producer does not have a food safety certification such as Produce Safety Alliance or Implementing Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) from Cornell University, they can complete a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Course from OSU- FAPC. To get notified of future classes, sign up for our e-mail newsletter using this link.
Liability insurance is not required to be on this list, but some buyers will require it. ODAFF recommends food liability insurance policy for all growers.

Our partners at the OSU Food and Agricultural Products Center have scheduled upcoming Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Courses on Jan. 29 and April 2.

Attendees will learn good agricultural practices that can help prevent making people sick with foodborne pathogens like E. coli O157:H7 or Salmonella from the consumption of raw produce from your farm. Therefore, we strongly recommend any produce farmer to attend one of these classes regardless of farm size. The course completion certificate for these courses are recognized by the FDA and Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry as proof that a covered produce farm has taken an approved training course as required in the Produce Safety Rule.

The cost is $25, and registration will close a week before each class to allow time to mail you the class materials.

To register for a course, call 405-744-6277 or use the following links:

Jan. 29 | Zoom

April 2 | Zoom

After Produce Safety Alliance Grower Course – Send certificate to: Justin McConaghy Justin.McConaghy@ag.ok.gov

Current approved Producers and Meat Processors list as of 2/19/2025 Oklahoma Local Producers and Meat Processors

Producer Requirements: Meat and Poultry

Producer must be registered with ODAFF’s Food Safety division before being added to this list. Registration can be submitted by completing this form.

Send submissions to: Ron Hall ron.hall@usda.gov or Christy Shephard christy.shephard@ag.ok.gov

Producer must list which state or federally inspected facilities process the products they wish to sell.

Producer Requirements: Eggs

Producer must obtain a Small Egg Packers License and follow the requirements of the Oklahoma Egg Law. Eggs must be washed, graded, sized, refrigerated, packed in new cartons, and labeled. Download the form, check box #2, and pay the $50 fee.

Producer Requirements: Dairy

Milk and other dairy products must be pasteurized and processed in a permitted facility that is inspected by ODAFF Dairy Inspection. For more information visit https://ag.ok.gov/divisions/food-safety/

Producer Requirements: Value-Added Products

Producer must process the produce in a commercial kitchen and abide by all Oklahoma Health Department regulations.

Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program Application

First and Last Name(Required)

Farm, Ranch, Distributor, Processing Facility, Business Name, Other(Required)

Phone Number(Required)

Email Address(Required)

Mailing Address(Required)

Physical Address of Growing Operation(Required)

My operation sells…(Required)

Demographic Information (Optional)

See "socially disadvantaged group" as defined by the USDA at the * below.

I DO self-identify as a member of a socially disadvantaged group as defined by the USDA

I DO NOT self-identify as a member of a socially disadvantaged group as defined by the USDA

Prefer not to disclose

See “socially disadvantaged group” as defined by the USDA at the * below.

Age

18 – 30 years

31 – 40 years

41 – 50 years

51 – 60 years

61 -70 years

71 – 80 years

80 years +

Prefer not to disclose

Gender

Male

Female

Prefer not to disclose

Race/Ethnicity

Native American or Alaska Native

Asian

Hispanic, Latino or Spanish Origin

Middle Eastern or North African

Black or African American

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Caucasian

Prefer not to disclose

Other

Certifications (Optional)

Please list (GAP, third party audit, etc.)

If selling produce…

Have you completed Produce Safety Alliance Training, completed the self-checklist and registered with ODAFF?(Required)

Upload Self-Checklist

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Document can be downloaded at the top of the page.

Upload proof of Produce Safety Alliance Training

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Training registration email confirmation is acceptable.

If selling meat…

Is the product processed in a state or federally inspected facility or qualify under the Poultry Exemption(Required)

List facility name and address where the product is processed:

Upload Application of Registration for Distributors, Meat Brokers, and Public Warehousemen

Max. file size: 50 MB.

If selling dairy…

List facility name and address where the product is processed:

List all products offered:

If selling eggs…

List address where eggs are produced:

List address where eggs are processed:

Additional Information

What products (if any) would you want to offer in the spring? Please list.

What products (if any) would you want to offer in the summer? Please list.

What products (if any) would you want to offer in the fall? Please list.

What products (if any) would you want to offer in the winter? Please list.

Would you be willing to expand your facility/production if sales were guaranteed?(Required)

Can you deliver your product?(Required)

Do you currently partner with any food banks, schools, non-profits, etc? Please list specific branches or organizations.(Required)

Insurance Carried and Policy Number, if applicable

*As defined by USDA for this program, a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher is a farmer or rancher who is a member of a Socially Disadvantaged Group. A Socially Disadvantaged Group is a group whose members have been subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program.

**within 400 miles of point of distribution

Legal Disclaimer for the Oklahoma Local Food Procurement Assistance Program

By purchasing food through the Oklahoma Local Food Procurement Assistance Program (Program), the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) is not guaranteeing the product is safe for consumption. ODAFF is not responsible for any injury that may result from food purchased and consumed through the Program. For produce, the Program requires the producer to be registered with ODAFF’s Food Safety division, have a food safety certification by attending an educational training on good agricultural practices, and have completed a food safety checklist. For meat and poultry, the Program requires the producer to be registered with ODAFF’s Food Safety division and the processor to be state or federally inspected. For eggs, the Program requires the producer to retain a Small Egg Packers License and follow Oklahoma Egg Law. For dairy products, the Program requires the products to be pasteurized and processed in a permitted facility inspected by ODAFF Dairy Inspection. For value added products, the Program requires the producer to process the produce in a commercial kitchen and abide by all Oklahoma Health Department regulations.

Information coming soon.

Building on the success of a USDA cooperative agreement that helped schools find local food to serve in the cafeteria, ODAFF is currently offering a state-funded program and is applying for a federally funded program that will include childcare centers.

Overview

The Oklahoma Local Food for School program will reimburse schools for approved purchases made for minimally processed food such as fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, dairy and nuts. The Oklahoma legislature has allocated $3.2 million dollars for the program this year.

Administrative rules outlining the program (Approved by the Board of Ag on Jan. 29)

FAQ

FAQ’s Oklahoma Local Food for Schools Program
Oklahoma Local Food for Schools Webinar (Feb. 4, 2025)

Approved Producers

Oklahoma Local Producers and Meat Processors

Oklahoma Local Food for Schools 2025

I understand that these funds can only purchase unprocessed or minimally processed food that was grown, raised and processed in Oklahoma and from a vendor preapproved by ODAFF.(Required)

Yes, I understand

School District Name(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City ZIP / Postal Code

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Who do you plan to purchase from?(Required)

Dollar amount for purchases?(Required)

Local Food for Schools Programs

Producers

Food Banks

Schools

Oklahoma Local Food for Schools 2025