Hunger Free Oklahoma Update

When we recount the history of America’s efforts to reduce food insecurity, large-scale government programs often take center stage. But long before these policies existed, people were already responding.

It was nine months after ten strangers anxiously entered our Tulsa office, beginning a workshop centered on one of the most vulnerable and sensitive injustices that human beings should not experience: lack of food access.

7/17/26: Tulsa, OK — Governor Kevin Stitt’s recent interview with Stateline.org raises concerns about his understanding of hunger in Oklahoma and the role that proven anti-hunger programs play. Instead of following the data and research, the governor’s comments dismiss the realities facing hundreds of thousands of Oklahoma families and endorses the shaming of the most […]

New USDA data confirms that Oklahoma, along with 35 other states, could soon face massive new SNAP costs, putting food assistance at risk for families already struggling to afford groceries. Congress must act now to delay this cost shift for all states.

6/24/26: Tulsa, OK — A federal judge blocked five state SNAP purchasing restriction pilots that banned SNAP users from purchasing soda and candy with their benefits. At this time, the ruling does not impact SNAP purchasing rules in Oklahoma. The ruling raises questions about the future of similar policies across the country. The federal ruling […]

New federal data show that Oklahoma’s SNAP enrollment has dropped significantly over the past year, with roughly 100,000 fewer Oklahomans participating in the program each month than a year ago. There are some national and local voices saying this is something to be celebrated and it’s a sign we are doing things right. To avoid any confusion, I want to be as clear as possible, those people are wrong. At Hunger Free Oklahoma, we want everyone who needs SNAP to have access to it. We also want to see fewer people need SNAP because they are earning enough to afford food and meet their basic needs without assistance. The current decline in participation does not reflect that reality.

One out of every four kids in Oklahoma doesn’t always have enough food to eat.

No child should have to sit in class hungry, struggling to focus. Hunger makes it harder for students to learn, creates challenges in the classroom for students and teachers, and contributes to worse outcomes for our educational system. Yet for thousands of Oklahoma children, this is their reality.

Statement attributed to Chris Bernard, President & CEO, Hunger Free Oklahoma 5/7/26 – Tulsa, OK: Yesterday, Governor Stitt issued an executive order mandating new reporting and verification requirements for Oklahomans seeking essential services like SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid. The following statement is attributable to Chris Bernard, president and CEO of Hunger Free Oklahoma.  “This executive order is a redundant measure that creates confusion and fear for Oklahomans trying to […]

Every summer, thousands of children across Oklahoma lose access to the school meals they depend on. But every year, communities across the state step up to meet that need. Schools, tribes, nonprofits, and local leaders come together with one shared mission: ensuring no child goes hungry when school is out.

At Hunger Free Oklahoma, we are proud to support and connect with this work—helping partners share resources, strengthen relationships, and build systems that make summer meals more accessible for families across the state.

There’s a story surfacing when public benefits enter the conversation. It’s a familiar one: skepticism and lingering questions about SNAP fraud. It travels quickly. Faster than data. Faster than lived experiences. Faster than the truth.

In fact, it’s become a widely accepted narrative. But when we slow down and actually look at the evidence, a very different picture comes into focus.

4/1/26 – Tulsa, OK: Hunger Free Oklahoma’s 2026 Food is Medicine Landscape Analysis highlights health improvements, access gaps, and opportunities to expand nutrition-based healthcare programs across Oklahoma.

“A hungry kid cannot learn, but a well-supported student, with quality meal service and quality instruction, will thrive. In Elk City, Oklahoma, we have the numbers to prove it!”

That conviction from Superintendent Mike Sparks sits at the heart of the transformation underway at Elk City Public Schools. Superintendent Sparks, recently named the 2025 OASA District 12 Superintendent of the Year, attributes the district’s academic progress to a powerful combination: strengthened child nutrition programs paired with data-driven instruction.

Most of the work of getting produce into grocery stores, restaurants, and homes is done by immigrants. Immigrants are the foundation of the U.S. agriculture system, not only as workers but also as consumers. Yet many are left vulnerable to exploitation, poverty, and food insecurity despite everything they contribute to our agricultural system and economy.

1/26/26 – Tulsa, OK: Hunger Free Oklahoma has consistently championed the efficient and fair administration of government programs that support long-term economic stability for Oklahomans. We support Governor Stitt’s calls for increased transparency, reduced bureaucracy, and thoughtful mitigation of benefit cliffs to improve program operations.

One day into my fellowship with The Congressional Hunger Center, the federal government shut down. What seemed like an inconvenience that might last a few days, or at worst, a couple of weeks, dragged on throughout my entire first month in the anti-hunger, anti-poverty policy space.

Dear Supporters and Partners,
This year reminded us of what it means to show up for our communities and that the path to success is not always a straight line. Together, with partners across Oklahoma, we expanded access to proven programs, responded to urgent challenges, and continued building the systems that help families thrive. We also advocated against sweeping changes to SNAP and the food safety net. While we lessened the damage, we could not stop it all.

Most Americans picture service members as resilient and self-sufficient — and they are. But resilience doesn’t erase the reality that many service members and military families struggle to put food on the table. Food insecurity in the force is not just a social or family welfare issue; it’s a readiness issue that affects health, performance, retention, and ultimately the mission.

As nonprofits or community advocates, we have all long faced tight budgets and heavy workloads, leading us to work beyond max capacity and sometimes to even push past our skill sets. This culture of urgency and make-do leaves no time to pause and reflect, leading to short-term solutions generally winning out over long-term improvements.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Over the past several weeks, our community has weathered challenges that tested the resilience of the people we serve, the dedication of our staff, and the strength of the entire nonprofit food response network. I want to take a moment to share where things stand, and to express our deep gratitude for your partnership.

Every summer, thousands of kids across Oklahoma lose access to the school meals they rely on. Every summer, organizations, tribes, schools, and community leaders step up to make sure families don’t face seasonal hunger. At Hunger Free Oklahoma, we’re proud to be part of this team—helping build connections, share resources, and create spaces where partners can learn from each other. Our goal is to make it easy for more partners to engage in Summer Meals opportunities.

11/13/2025 – Tulsa, OK: Hunger Free Oklahoma welcomes the end of the federal government shutdown and the restoration of critical SNAP benefits. We hope that in the next day or two, full SNAP benefits will be distributed in Oklahoma to help our friends and neighbors put food on the table, support jobs up and down the supply chain, and help local economies thrive.

10/21/2025 – Tulsa, OK: Today’s news about a disruption in SNAP benefits is a painful blow for so many of our friends, neighbors, and families who rely on this support. We stand with them and feel the urgency of the impact this decision will have.

10/21/2025 – Tulsa, OK: Today’s news about a disruption in SNAP benefits is a painful blow for so many of our friends, neighbors, and families who rely on this support. We stand with them and feel the urgency of the impact this decision will have.

When school cafeterias close for the summer, many families face an increased challenge to keep nutritious food on the table. That’s where the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SEBT) program comes in – a federal initiative that provides grocery benefits to eligible families with school-aged children during the summer months.