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Farm to school program offers manual, online tools for schools and producersOklahoma Oklahoma's Farm to School program is distributing a new publication with tips and tools for producers and school service programs to help increase locally grown foods in schools. The manual is also available online with several produce and cost calculators as well as food safety logs for producers. Chris Kirby, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry FTS coordinator, said the manual is intended to help increase participation in the program not only in Oklahoma but throughout the nation. "Farm to School is expanding all over the country and we're excited that Oklahoma is one of the nation's leaders in increasing local food consumption in our school systems," she said. "This 'how-to' manual helps show what people can do to get local foods into their schools." The manual was made possible through funds provided by USDA's Federal State Marketing Improvement Program, she said. Oklahoma State University, the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture, and the Oklahoma State Department of Education assisted the state agriculture department by providing expertise and co-authoring the manual. The manual is available online at www.okfarmtoschool.com. Requests may also be made to chris.kirby@oda.state.ok.us or Chris Kirby, Oklahoma Farm to School, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, 2800 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
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