Hunger Free Oklahoma Update

Hunger Free Oklahoma (HFO) announced today it has received a $50,000 grant from Telligen Community Initiative (TCI), a private, Iowa-based charitable foundation. This partnership supports HFO’s efforts to build public-private partnerships that connect more families to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, equip community organizations to serve as SNAP access points, and provide public education on the positive impact of SNAP and SNAP enrollment in Oklahoma communities.

A new year does not magically end the challenges of the last, but it does give us an opportunity to look forward and set new priorities for the year ahead. We are grateful to be able to look ahead, regardless of the current challenges or new challenges that may arise, and think about what more we can do to move toward a Hunger Free Oklahoma.

Hunger Free Oklahoma was awarded a $500,000 matching grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to expand Double Up Oklahoma in farmers markets across the state and to pilot a grocery store program in rural Oklahoma. Combined with over $400,000 in support from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) for an expansion to grocery stores

by Chris Bernard, Executive Director It takes all of us to solve big, systemic problems like hunger in Oklahoma. From our very beginning, Hunger Free Oklahoma employees, partners, and providers came with one mindset: “Working together, we can create a hunger free Oklahoma.” Thank you for your support of HFO or any of our 600 […]

by Sam Kirzner, Double Up Oklahoma Program Manager, Hunger Free Oklahoma Double Up Oklahoma (DUO), a program that matches SNAP purchases with free produce dollar-for-dollar, is expanding to grocery stores! This farmers market season, DUO operates in 16 farmers markets and one mobile grocer. About 17.9% of Oklahoma SNAP participants currently live in an area […]

by Katie Marvel, Communications Coordinator, Hunger Free Oklahoma It comes as no surprise that the COVID-19 shutdown has affected Oklahomans economically in more ways than one. Local businesses have had to close their doors, thousands of workers have been laid off, and families, some for the first time, are struggling to pay for basic needs: […]

By Jessica Dietrich, Hunger Free Oklahoma, Policy and Government Relations Manager In my work advocating at the Oklahoma State Capitol over the past several years, one consistent question I receive is, “What do you actually do?” While I have my oversimplified, slightly-humorous answer of “I go to a lot of meetings,” the truth is not […]

by Chris Bernard, Executive Director Over the last three years we have met so many amazing organizations and individuals across our state that are working every day to end hunger. All too often these people would mention their desire to meet others in the field, or learn more about a subject, but did not know […]

Health and Food Insecurity – A Comprehensive Approach by Katie Maschino, Hunger Free Oklahoma Hunger Outreach Program Specialist The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food security as “access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life.” This enables those working in the anti-hunger field to use a comprehensive […]

OKDHS works to get SNAP households benefits by January 20th We know that many organizations and their clients are concerned about the effect of the government shutdown on SNAP benefits. USDA recently released an advisory allowing states to distribute February SNAP benefits by January 20th in order to ensure that SNAP households received their benefits […]

2018 Year in Review The second year of operation for Hunger Free Oklahoma (HFO), 2018, is a great example of how government and community stakeholders can work together to address one of the state’s most pressing issues. We worked across the state with partners in government, education, health, the faith community, and the private sector […]

Help Hunger Free Oklahoma take a stand against food insecurity and hunger in our state by participating in Hunger Action Month during September! Imagine not knowing how you will get your next meal. This is the reality for over 635,000 Oklahomans who experience food insecurity and hunger every year. Food insecurity effects more than one […]

Hunger Free Oklahoma, an organization working to end food insecurity across the state, published its first Oklahoma School Breakfast Report Card today which finds that the rate of breakfast participation in Oklahoma has fallen behind other states, even as participation has experienced a slight uptick.

Resources for Contacting your Legislators

Hunger Free Oklahoma wants your input on the experiences you have had with Federal Nutrition Programs. Data will be collected to identify successes and barriers to participation in programs, such as school meal programs and SNAP. We are specifically asking for input on your satisfaction with the programs and changes you would like to see […]

By Kit Hines, R.D., L.D., the Child Nutrition Director at Tulsa Public Schools Kit Hines has worked for Sodexo at Tulsa Public Schools since 1999, in current role of Child Nutrition Director since 2010. She has worked in School Nutrition field since 1996. Kit’s education includes Bachelor of Science degree in Community Medical Dietetics. She […]

10. No Child Should Start the Day Hungry – Students who skip breakfast have slower memory, make more mistakes, and are more likely to repeat a grade. Find out more. 9. Growing Brains Need Fuel – Eating breakfast boosts math, reading, and standardized test scores, improves attention, and increases problem-solving skills. Find out more. 8. […]

In 78 schools in Oklahoma City, children will have access to breakfast and lunch at no cost next school year. By implementing the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) Oklahoma City Public Schools has committed to ensuring that all students start the day on a level playing field and have every possible chance at academic success.

In 2016, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a guidance requiring all school districts or state administering agencies participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) to create and clearly communicate a policy on unpaid school meal debt. The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), the state agency […]

Recently, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez signed the Hunger- Free Students’ Bill of Rights in an attempt to end the practice of shaming children who have outstanding debts on their school lunch accounts. According to coverage of the legislation, students and employees have reported such practices as stamping a child on the arm with “I need lunch money,” throwing a student’s hot meal in the trash when their account has insufficient funds, and forcing students to clean cafeteria tables in exchange for a meal. This is unacceptable.

Thank you for your interest in the issue of hunger and the work of our organization. Hunger Free Oklahoma was founded with the belief hunger is solvable, unnecessary and, in a country as rich as ours, unjust. Oklahoma has some of the worst hunger statistics in the nation. Hunger in our state has many faces […]

An Assessment of Food Insecurity and Resources, Excerpt Individuals and organizations throughout Oklahoma – in its larger cities and its rural communities – are working to support their neighbors struggling with food insecurity. Despite the tireless work of local and state organizations, food insecurity is still a serious problem in Oklahoma. In order to fully […]

Imagine fighting hunger – and the stigma that comes with a “free or reduced meals” application – in our public schools with free breakfast and lunch for all students.  In Houston, that dream has become a reality. Houston ISD offers breakfast and lunch free of charge in all elementary and middle schools (even some high […]

Center for Budget and Policy Priorities The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also widely known as food stamps, is an anti-hunger program reaching populations of need across the state. SNAP is extremely responsive to need with very poor households receiving more supplemental assistance than households closer to the poverty line. Households receive benefits on EBT […]