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Wrapping Up the Hungry for Action Conference: A Call to Action Against Food Insecurity

As we close the doors on this year’s Hungry for Action Conference, we are filled with gratitude and inspiration from the nearly 400 passionate attendees who gathered in Tulsa to confront the pressing issue of food insecurity in our state. Over the course of this event, we explored new strategies, forged invaluable connections, and ignited a shared commitment to action.

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Capitol Insider: Latest News on Food Insecurity Policy & Advocacy (October 2024)

by Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist State Updates Friday, October 11 was the deadline to register to vote in the November 2024 elections in Oklahoma.In-person early voting begins October 30 and runs through November 2. Early voting hours on the weekdays are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on November 2 from […]

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Elementary students eat their in classroom breakfast_hunger free oklahoma

Breakfast After the Bell: Fueling Success for Students

Breakfast has long been hailed as the most important meal of the day, and for good reason. When it comes to K-12 students, ensuring they start their day with a nutritious meal is crucial for their overall well-being and academic success. That’s where Breakfast After the Bell programs come in, reimagining how schools approach morning nutrition.

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Capitol Insider: Latest News on Food Insecurity Policy & Advocacy (September 2024)

by Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist State Updates State Question 832 is a state question proposing to raise the minimum wage in Oklahoma and will be put to a vote of the people, but it won’t be on November 5. According to Misha Mohr, public information officer at the State Election Board, […]

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Summer EBT Program Update: What’s Next for 2025

In recent days, we’ve been navigating a flurry of developments regarding the Summer EBT program and its future in our state. Here’s a quick overview of where things stand:

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Capitol Insider: Latest News on Food Insecurity Policy & Advocacy (August 2024)

by Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist, and Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy State Legislative Updates 2024 Interim Studies Interim studies are an opportunity for legislators to learn more about a given issue before the next legislative session begins. The goal is to inform lawmakers’ next likely policy priorities. […]

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Hunger Free Oklahoma responds to Governor Stitt’s office’s statement on decision to opt out of Summer EBT for the second year in a row.

In response to recent statements made by Governor Stitt’s office regarding the 2025 Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program, it is crucial to correct several inaccuracies and highlight the benefits of this federal initiative in addressing child hunger and food insecurity.

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Capitol Insider: Latest News on Food Insecurity Policy & Advocacy (July 2024)

House Speaker Charles McCall will announce his approval or disapproval of proposed House interim studies no later than July 26. A few studies relevant to poverty, hunger, and child well-being include:

IS 24-048, Rep. Schreiber: Is lack of childcare an impediment to economic growth and sustainability for Oklahoma?

IS 24-055, Rep. Pae and Rep. Alonso-Sandoval: Rural Healthcare Access

IS 24-085, Rep. Caldwell: Low Income Housing for Homeless in Rural Areas

IS 24-096, Rep. Waldron, Sen. Kirt: Exploring County Jail Services and Diversion Programs in Oklahoma

IS 24-099, Rep. Waldron: Improving Family Outcomes through School-Based Social Work in Oklahoma

To view the full list of approved House interim studies, visit https://former.okhouse.gov/Committees/ShowInterimStudies.aspx.

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Ending Hunger in Oklahoma: Community Collaboration and Support

One in six Oklahomans are food insecure, making Oklahoma one of the hungriest states in the country. Food insecurity is a complex issue with no single solution.  With rising food and housing costs, it will take a sustained community effort to end food insecurity in the state.

What does a sustained community effort look like?

A sustained community effort involves ongoing collaboration, education, support, and resource sharing among various stakeholders. It requires consistent engagement from local organizations and partnerships to create a robust network of support.

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Hunger Free Oklahoma Launches LEARN Workshop to Amplify Perspectives of Those Experiencing Food Insecurity

To amplify the voices of those who experience hunger and food insecurity, Hunger Free Oklahoma is launching the Lived Experience and Resource Network (LEARN) Workshop that includes a paid eight-month program beginning September 2024 for Tulsa and surrounding area residents.

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Capitol Insider: Latest News on Food Insecurity Policy & Advocacy (June 2024)

The Oklahoma Legislature adjourned from regular session on May 30, 2024, one day before constitutionally required. Since then, the Governor signed the budget and many additional bills into law. While the legislative session is over, there were several missed opportunities to invest in improving food security for Oklahomans. We will continue our work in the interim to build a better understanding of the issues for state legislators.

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Congressional Visits: Making Advocacy Easy and Accessible

On June 5, a team representing Hunger Free Oklahoma (HFO), the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma went to Washington, D.C. where they discussed the upcoming Farm Bill with our Oklahoma delegation. For several, it was their first time to make Congressional visits. Here is a glimpse into some of their experiences, proving that anyone passionate about these issues can engage with their elected officials.

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State Capitol ceiling

Capitol Insider: Latest News on Food Insecurity Policy & Advocacy (May 2024)

Budget negotiations seem to be drawing to a close, just in the nick of time as the Legislature’s May 31 deadline to adjourn sine die swiftly approaches. Last week, House and Senate leaders reported reaching an agreement on the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, and even scheduled sessions on Memorial Day to tie up loose strings before the end of the week.

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A group of diverse people stand on the front steps of the Oklahoma State Capitol building.

Politics Take a Back Seat to Hunger at Anti-Hunger Day at the Capitol

“Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg

This quote hangs in my office as a daily reminder to myself and others. A reminder that true advocacy is not just about fighting for what matters to you – it is about inspiring others to join the conversation. Justice Ginsburg’s words are especially important in reflection of Anti-Hunger Day at the Capitol.

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More than 100 people gathered in the rotunda of the Oklahoma State Capitol building.

Capitol Insider: Latest News on Food Insecurity Policy & Advocacy (April 2024)

It’s a busy week at the Capitol! February 26 and 29 are the first series of deadlines for filed legislation to make it out of committee. While it’s still early in the session, after this week we’ll have a better idea of which bills stand a fighting chance to make it all the way to the Governor’s desk.

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State Capitol ceiling

Capitol Insider: Latest News on Food Insecurity Policy & Advocacy (March 2024)

It’s a busy week at the Capitol! February 26 and 29 are the first series of deadlines for filed legislation to make it out of committee. While it’s still early in the session, after this week we’ll have a better idea of which bills stand a fighting chance to make it all the way to the Governor’s desk.

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State Capitol ceiling

Capitol Insider: Latest News on Food Insecurity Policy & Advocacy (February 2024)

It’s a busy week at the Capitol! February 26 and 29 are the first series of deadlines for filed legislation to make it out of committee. While it’s still early in the session, after this week we’ll have a better idea of which bills stand a fighting chance to make it all the way to the Governor’s desk.

Read more »
State Capitol ceiling

Capitol Insider: Latest News on Food Insecurity Policy & Advocacy (November 2023)

Winds of change bring us cooler temperatures and a swift conclusion to the 2023 special session Governor Stitt requested on tax cuts and budget transparency. As we look ahead to the end of the calendar year, advocates will be focusing on the smattering of remaining interim studies scheduled in the coming weeks, a few special elections, and eagerly awaiting December 8 and January 18 deadlines for bills to be requested and filed for 2024’s Legislative Session.

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A graph showing the prevalence of food insecurity in households with children, 2001-22.

Hunger Free Oklahoma Releases Statement on USDA’s 2022 Household Food Security in the United States Report

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its 2022 Household Food Security in the United States report this week. The USDA report shows a national increase in food insecurity rates, and state-level data reports Oklahoma’s food insecurity rate is higher than the national average.

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State Capitol ceiling

Capitol Insider: Latest News on Food Insecurity Policy & Advocacy (October 2023)

Winds of change bring us cooler temperatures and a swift conclusion to the 2023 special session Governor Stitt requested on tax cuts and budget transparency. As we look ahead to the end of the calendar year, advocates will be focusing on the smattering of remaining interim studies scheduled in the coming weeks, a few special elections, and eagerly awaiting December 8 and January 18 deadlines for bills to be requested and filed for 2024’s Legislative Session.

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Hunger Free Oklahoma’s Chief Program Officer Richard Comeau is Awarded an Aspen Institute Food Leaders Fellowship

Richard Comeau, Chief Program Officer for Hunger Free Oklahoma (HFO), was recently welcomed to Aspen, Colorado, where he began his tenure as a Food Leaders Fellow of the Aspen Institute. The 2023 Food Leaders Fellows include entrepreneurs, investors, and civic and nonprofit leaders dedicated to changing the food system to eradicate food and nutrition insecurity, support entrepreneurs and farmers, and push forward sustainable solutions.

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Working together for a hunger free Oklahoma.

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