1. (1) A certified ONB program must have written permission from each child’s parent before children may consume foraged plant materials.
   (2) All plants gathered by children or staff that are intended to be consumed by children must be clean and safe to eat. The requirements described in OAR 414-320-1130, Food Storage and Preparation, through OAR 414-320-1140, Meals and Snacks, apply to plants gathered by children or staff that are intended to be consumed by children.
   (3) Certified ONB program staff must be able to demonstrate they have the level of knowledge necessary to:
   (a) Properly identify the different plant species that are native to the area and region where the ONB program is located;
   (b) Identify and avoid poisonous plants and plants that look similar to poisonous plants; and
   (c) Ensure that plants are harvested during the correct time of year and season.
   (4) A certified ONB program must ensure the area where plants are being harvested, for example an adjacent road or field, has not been sprayed with pesticides, herbicides, or other pollutants.  If ONB program staff do not know or cannot determine if areas have been sprayed with pesticides, herbicides, or other pollutants, plants should not be harvested from those areas.
   (5) Mushrooms and other fungi of any variety must not be touched, picked, harvested, or consumed by children.
   (6) A certified ONB program must ensure that children do not touch, pick, harvest, or consume plants without the permission of ONB program staff. Before a child eats any type of wild vegetation, ONB program staff must ensure the vegetation has been approved for consumption by a staff person who is able to correctly identify the source plant. Prior approval by the appropriate ONB program staff person is required even if a child thinks they can correctly identify the plant.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 329A.260

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 329A.280

History

DELC 2-2025, adopt filed 03/26/2025, effective 07/01/2025