Purchase local food targeting purchases from small businesses and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, for distribution to schools

The oklahoma department of agriculture, food and forestry will connect local producers of produce, meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, and nuts with schools wishing to add local food to their cafeteria menus through a newly established online portal. Schools will be able to submit an application to oklahoma department of agriculture, food and forestry outlining an intent to purchase from one of these producers or producers from their local area (within 400 miles). Once approved by oklahoma department of agriculture, food and forestry, the school can then purchase the food and submit an invoice for reimbursement. In order to target socially disadvantaged producers, oklahoma department of agriculture, food and forestry will engage partners at langston university and oklahoma state university with the resources to inform these producers of the opportunity while helping producers meet the minimum requirements of qualification. Schools will be required to submit invoices to oklahoma department of agriculture, food and forestry after purchasing the food. This will let oklahoma department of agriculture, food and forestry evaluate and approve the purchase in order ensure the purchase fits the parameters of the agreement. Only purchases made from a producer on the pre-approved list provided by oklahoma department of agriculture, food and forestry will be accepted. Exceptions may be submitted to oklahoma department of agriculture, food and forestry but detailed information must accompany the request including all information required on the list established by the local food purchase assistance program. Quarterly performance reports will be submitted to capture the number of producers, small businesses and socially disadvantaged farmers and producers, dollar value of purchases, and type of food purchased. Annual reports will provide percentages of new marketing opportunities established by purchasing from local and regional farmers and producers, socially disadvantaged farmers and producers, and small businesses. Through the application process created by local food purchase assistance program and housed at oklahoma department of agriculture, food and forestry, more than 100 oklahoma farmers and ranchers could benefit from this program by selling directly to schools utilizing local food for schools dollars. Oklahoma department of agriculture, food and forestry will also use the networks at oklahoma state university and langston university to include as many socially disadvantaged producers as possible. The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.