TULSA – “Cultivating Good Food for Good Health in Green Country” is a new long-term project that will help ensure Oklahomans have convenient access to healthy and affordable Oklahoma-produced foods. The USDA’s Community Food Projects program has awarded a three-year $299,996 grant to the project, which is a partnership of eleven Oklahoma nonprofit organizations and agencies.

"This grant award provides the Oklahoma Sustainability Network a tremendous opportunity to help Oklahoma in several ways," said Chad Settle, OSN Board Member. "The grant allows us to help communities in Oklahoma with food production, educational opportunities about Oklahoma-produced foods and increased access to fresh and healthy foods, all while stimulating Oklahoma's economy. This would not be possible without all of our grant partners, and OSN is grateful to each of them for helping us implement the program."

Low-income residents will obtain nutritious foods more easily under the program. New community gardens, where urban residents can grow their own fresh produce, will be established in low-income neighborhoods in the Tulsa area. Meanwhile, existing community gardens will benefit from improved infrastructure. Education will be an advantage of community gardens that are planned for installation on the grounds of some Tulsa-area schools. Other community gardens will be neighborhood-based gardens which will allow citizens to grow their own food. The project will also expand the use of food stamp benefits at farmers’ markets, in addition to assisting in the development of a state-wide plan for administering  a farmers’ market nutrition program for seniors and WIC recipients in Oklahoma.

Business opportunities for Oklahoma farmers and producers also will be enhanced. Training sessions on best management practices will be held for local farmers and farmers’ market managers. Better business practices will result in increased direct sales of Oklahoma foods to Oklahoma customers. The project team will also identify information about successful state Beginning Farmer Programs and share it with state administrators, policy makers and other stakeholders with the eventual goal of creating a Beginning Farmer Program in Oklahoma to assist those just starting their own farming operations. Additionally, a session will be held at the OSN annual conference to facilitate networking between Oklahoma farmers, consumers and organizations interested in Oklahoma-produced foods.

Oklahoma food will be promoted with an enhanced “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” campaign. This campaign encourages consumers to purchase locally-produced foods with a promotional campaign and a local food guide. The “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” campaign will be expanded to at least two other Oklahoma communities following the initial promotion in Green Country.

“Much of the food produced in Oklahoma is exported out of the state for consumption by people who live elsewhere. At the same time, many Oklahomans confront hunger and cannot find convenient and nutritious food that is reasonably priced,” said Seneca Scott, OSN Past-President. “Oklahomans face challenges when trying to buy healthy, affordable food while Oklahoma-produced food is distributed out of state. The new program in Green Country aims to address this situation.”