Anyone who has been around our catering business or restaurant for any length of time knows how much we love the Farm-to-Fork concept. After all, our founder, Carolyn Piguet, built the entire restaurant concept around it!
Many of you also know that Carolyn has a long history of education and the agriculture industry working together. She is currently a leader in the Prime 4-H Club, and she works with FFA groups throughout the state. Carolyn also provides education to public schools and various agricultural groups, as well as dieticians and nutrition-based organizations.
While her farm does not directly deliver to local schools, we are also big fans of the Farm to School concept. Did you know that October is Farm to School Month in Oklahoma?
First, let’s share what Farm to School means. According to the state’s official Farm to School website, “Farm to School allows schools to feature and expose students to a variety of locally produced foods in the school nutrition program.
“The program looks slightly different in every school site, but always includes one or more of three core components:
• “Procurement, or purchasing, of local foods that are promoted and served in the school meal, in taste-tests with students, or as a snack in the classroom.
• “Educational activities related to agriculture, food, health, and nutrition.
• School gardens that provide students with hands-on, experiential learning experiences.”
The 2006 Oklahoma legislation called the Oklahoma Farm to School Program Act officially established the Oklahoma Farm to School Program, which is overseen by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. The Department established the farm-to-school website to assist schools and farmers who need more information on the program and how schools can procure fresh, local food.
The website also shares about events throughout the year, especially in October, to acknowledge and celebrate the Farm-to-School concept. We especially love the idea of the “Lunch Crunch”!
According to the website Oklahoma Farm to School,
“In honor of National Food Day on October 24, 2025, Oklahoma Farm to School is hosting the second annual Great Oklahoma Lunch Crunch—a statewide celebration where cafeterias showcase Oklahoma-grown foods. Students enjoy a meal featuring local produce or meats, then join together for one big “crunch” into something fresh and healthy. Participants who can’t celebrate on October 24th are encouraged to pick any day in October to host a lunch crunch.”
We would love to see local businesses do this as well by offering snacks or even an employee luncheon featuring Oklahoma-made and grown foods. Much of our food is grown or made right near us in Northeast Oklahoma, especially our steaks that come from Carolyn’s own herd! Give us a call if you would like us to cater a meal for your own “Crunch Lunch.”