Here's an update on the interim study I posted about a few weeks ago. I just thought someone might be interested.

I was surprised to learn that the local food pantries accept home grown veggies. When Sharon and I helped harvest for another poster, we took part of the bounty to two different pantries. Apparently Chesapeake's harvest from their now defunct garden was going to the Brit Vil pantry.

Study looks at community gardens, health

Author: Emily Summars
Date: 09/17/2013

(eCap) Of Oklahoma's 77 counties, 32 are classified as "food deserts." The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma reports Oklahoma currently has more people enrolled in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, than at any other point in Oklahoma's history. One in four Oklahoma children is at risk of going to bed hungry. Oklahoma is ranked tenth worst in affording fresh fruits and vegetables.

Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs, continued down the list of statistics during the House Agriculture and Wildlife Committee's hearing Tuesday of Interim Study 2013H-060. The study, pertaining to community poultry and garden exchanges, was requested by Rep. Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City, who was called out-of-state. The study had presenters from local farmers' markets, community gardens, egg specialists and others including Russell Claus.

Claus, planning director with the City of Oklahoma City, said he is looking at temporary and permanent uses for vacant and abandoned building sites. A growing interest in the community has allowed the agency to look at changes to the city's zoning code and comprehensive plan, which do not accommodate community gardens, Claus said.

"The plan includes community gardens, urban farms and it will be more community based�" Claus said. "�The issues with operating gardens, and compost piles which is an issue of concern, are definitions. What constitutes high grass and weeds versus a garden?"

The proposed city ordinance, which will be voted on at the next city council meeting, is what Claus calls the "best, more pragmatic ordinance" as it sets definitions for composts, community gardens and hens. Currently, 60 percent of Oklahoma's jurisdictions allow between two to 12 chickens on a residential lot.

In terms of vacant buildings, Claus said community gardens are a back-end approach to the problem and the council will need to face it head-on.

"At this time, we have little capacity to deal with abandoned lots," Claus said. "When we impose a lien on a property for demolition, very infrequently do we get that property�We're trying to get rid of the barriers as much as we can to facilitate [the community] without over regulating."

Jacklyn Brink-Rosen, Morrissette's legislative assistant, said Morrissette is waiting to see what works and does not work after Oklahoma City's new ordinance passes.

"He hopes to model [the language] in state statute for all urban areas," Brink-Rosen said.

"Sample language has been sent down to drafters and we reserved a bill in that title."

Brink-Rosen said Morrissette will focus on land use. Brink-Rosen said the goal is to help provide and ensure access to inexpensive fresh food for those that go without. Brink-Rosen said ensuring better food can be through education on eggs, gardening and farmer's markets: all of these items tie together.

For example, Brink-Rosen said, Joey Abbo, with the NEEDS Foundation in Oklahoma, transports perishable restaurant leftovers to local churches. The same system can be used to transport fresh fruit, vegetables and eggs.

Oklahoma has tried to improve access to healthier foods. The Cherry Street farmers market currently accepts some benefits like SNAP. The program uses matching funds to double the consumers' money, allowing the consumer to get more bang for their buck while increasing demand.

Bob Wilson, with the Kiwanis Community Garden in Yukon, said grants from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry help fund the garden. The garden sells its products at its farmers market while one-third of the garden produce is donated to Kiwanis Food Bank.

Brink-Rosen said the department and several agencies support the use of community gardens not only for healthier eating but for educational purposes. Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel said the department has a garden that is operated by inmates, educating them and helping provide a food source for the prison.

"For us, it's a win," Whetsel said. "This is the third year we've used inmates. Most that go out there to work have never worked in a farm or garden. We hear time and time again this is something they will do when they get out."

Several states allow the use of community gardens in state statute for items like food sources, education and distribution including New York, Tennessee and California.