OKLAHOMA CITY – State businesses and organizations recently helped celebrate The Made in Oklahoma Coalition’s 25th anniversary during April’s awareness month.
From food manufacturers to restaurants to local entrepreneurs, Oklahoma brands were celebrated.
The mission of The MIO Coalition is to support local businesses and the Oklahoma economy by increasing sales and business retention for MIO Oklahoma grown food and products. In 2024, according to the Coalition’s website, www.miocoalition.com, $5.1 billion in sales were generated, which was a significant increase from $3.3 billion in 2023 sales.
Other statistical facts include that over 50,000 Oklahomans are employed by MIO Coalition companies and over 500 products are currently produced through coalition businesses. In March at the 2025 Made in Oklahoma Legislative Reception, State Board of Agriculture Secretary Blayne Arthur honored six founding MIO members for their “unwavering dedication.”
These founding businesses include Fields Pies, Head Country Bar-B-Q, Clements Foods Co., Shawnee Milling Co., Griffin Food Co. and Bar-S Foods Co.
There are actually two programs, according to the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Extension at okstate. edu. There is the free program, called Made in Oklahoma, and then there is The Made in Oklahoma Coalition, which has a membership fee and other additional requirements.
“Both programs have similar goals to promote the awareness of agricultural products made in Oklahoma and are funded by allocated state dollars through the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
“The free Made in Oklahoma program allows any in-state company that produces a food or agricultural product to be listed on the madeinoklahoma.net website, use the official logo and take advantage of various cost share promotional activities such as participating in the Made in Oklahoma section of the state fair. This program is funded through public dollars and is geared for start-up companies, although any size company may join,” noted information on OSU’s website. The MIO Coalition has a different logo than the free program and began primarily for established food and beverage companies and, in addition to the annual fee, the program requires an annual membership fee and a yearly sales requirement. It is retail and food service oriented and maintains a separate website and is paid for through both public and private dollars.
Both programs promote awareness of the importance of shopping local.