October 28, 2024 

For Immediate Release

SAINT LOUIS COUNTY – The Missouri Democratic nominee for Treasurer and Army combat veteran Mark Osmack announced an innovative new plan to strengthen Missouri agriculture and better insulate farmers from market uncertainty by requiring all meals served in Missouri schools utilize Missouri crops. 

In his native Missouri, Mark has gone throughout the state to where people have felt forgotten. “When I meet with farmers, two primary issues are being raised: The first is the well-being and financial futures of their farms, and the second is knowing that while rural Missouri feeds the country, there are hungry kids in Missouri schools. “What I’ve heard in Sedalia at the State Fairgrounds and elsewhere is that times are more challenging and it’s harder to keep family farms in the family. Farmers were also truly concerned knowing kids are now going to school only four out of five days and when they are there, are going hungry.” 

To combat this, Mark spoke with the Missouri Dairy, Missouri Pork, Missouri Soybeans, Missouri Corn, Missouri Poultry Federation, and Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and the concept of feeding Missouri schools with Missouri crops was born from these discussions, and has been exceptionally well-received. “I asked where the food used in Missouri school meals is coming from, and most is from out of state…so I asked, why not Missouri products for Missouri schools?” 

This initiative accomplishes two things. The first is that it provides farmers with a steadfast contract with the State, and the second is that Missouri children in schools are receiving a quality, nutritious meal that is made where they live at no cost to the child. “I was one of the kids who had the special-colored cafeteria voucher…it was so preventable and humiliating.” 

“The plan that when kids drink milk, it’s Missouri milk; when they eat beef, it’s Missouri beef, is powerful and resonates no matter your party affiliation. The reception has been completely supportive, and then a question, “Yeah, why don’t we do that?” “In the Army, leaders eat last and never expect anything they have not done themselves,” said Mark Osmack. “Sadly, that standard is not in Jefferson City…and that is going to change.” 

Background: 

Mark is a two-time combat veteran and 4th generation Missourian who graduated from Lindbergh High School and the University of Missouri-Columbia. Upon graduation, Mark enlisted in the US Army where he earned a commission as a Field Artillery officer. His first deployment was to Afghanistan during the 2010-11 surge, earning a Bronze Star as a Mortar Platoon Leader. Mark utilized GI Bill to earn his Masters in Public Administration from George Washington University. Mark worked on policy issues around the Veterans’ Administration, budgetary, defense, and international affairs issues in the US Senate and House. Mark currently works for a non-profit that addresses access to clean drinking water, and plumbing safety codes as Director of Government Affairs. Mark and his wife, Caitlin, reside in the St. Louis area with their two incredible daughters: Evelyn (4 years old) and Kennedy (15 months). 

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Senior Editor, Digital Manager, Blogger, has been nominated for awards several times as Publisher and Author over the years. Has been with company for almost three years and is a current native St. Louisan.

The Newsletter 05

Senior Editor, Digital Manager, Blogger, has been nominated for awards several times as Publisher and Author over the years. Has been with company for almost three years and is a current native St. Louisan.

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