Policy & Advocacy

by Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist, and Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy Welcome back Insiders! With Oklahoma’s 2026 legislative session behind us, our normally fast-paced policy world has relaxed… for now. State Updates Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton approved a series of interim studies on July 9. Studies that […]

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 […]

by Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist, and Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy State Updates It’s primary election season! Visit the Oklahoma Voter Portal to view a sample ballot, check your voter registration status, and view your polling place. Six hundred nine (609) candidates filed for state, federal, legislative, […]

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.

by Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy State Updates The Oklahoma Legislature has adjourned from regular session, capping off an odd session filled with cross chamber disagreements and high stakes policy negotiations. With the way regular session ended, a special session could be on the horizon for the legislature. House leadership had […]

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.

by Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist, and Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy State Updates Between candidate filing, breakneck budget negotiations, and the June primary elections rapidly approaching, policy in Oklahoma is keeping us on our toes! If you want to keep up, make sure you’re signed up for […]

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.

by Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist, and Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy State Updates Legislative session is quickly springing forward. Between committee deadlines, Anti-Hunger Day at the Capitol, and some surprising changes to the upcoming Congressional midterm elections, there’s a lot to cover. Below is an updated list […]

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.

by Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy State Updates The 2026 Oklahoma legislative session is off to a busy start. Below is a list of the top bills we are tracking this session. As you might notice, this list is significantly longer compared to previous sessions. This demonstrates the legislature’s increased interest […]

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.

by Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy and Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist Welcome to 2026! Our team is rested and ready to tackle hunger and food policy in the new year. If you’re new to Capitol Insider, we share updates on news and policy changes at the state, federal, and administrative levels that touch on […]

by Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy and Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist We wish you glad tidings in our final edition of Capitol Insider 2025! This year has been eventful, and we appreciate that you have read along through this constantly changing policy environment. We’re looking forward to […]

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.