Menu items from the Oklahoma state meal

The official Oklahoma state meal is a state emblem of Oklahoma.[1] While many U.S. states have one or more official foods, it is the only official state meal.[2]

Creation

The meal was established by the 41st Oklahoma Legislature through House Concurrent Resolution 1983 in 1988. The menu selection process included input from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, the Oklahoma Pork Council, the Oklahoma Beef Commission, the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, and some food-processing companies. April 19, 1988 was "Oklahoma Meal Day", and restaurants were encouraged to offer the meal.[3]

Menu

The dishes are typical of Southern cuisine.[4] Menu items include historic staple foods of the region and represent state agricultural production.[1]

Meat

Vegetable

Bread

Dessert

Criticism

Depending on portion sizes, the entire meal might contain 2,700 calories, 125 g fat, and 5,250 mg sodium, all in excess of a day's recommended intake. State Senator Brian Crain proposed a concurrent resolution which would repeal the meal. It did not pass and was only intended as a symbolic measure.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Everett, Dianna, "State Meal", The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, retrieved 2019-05-18
  2. ^ Ralat, José R. (September 24, 2018), "The remaining 49 states should be asking themselves, 'Why does Oklahoma get to have all the fun?'", Cowboys & Indians, retrieved 2019-05-18
  3. ^ a b Hoberock, Barbara (January 12, 2010), "Senator wants state meal off the table", Tulsa World, retrieved 2019-05-18
  4. ^ Boltzer, Angela (December 3, 2014), "Yes, it's true. Oklahoma has an official state meal. Approved in 1988 by the 41st Legislature, it includes much-loved Southern home-cooked favorites.", Oklahoma Gazette, retrieved 2019-05-18
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