Hunger Free Oklahoma Blog

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 […]

During the school year, 62% of Oklahoma kids rely on free-and-reduced meals to receive proper nutrition; many of these students do not have access to adequate nutrition outside of school. In Tulsa, a staggering 84% of students rely on free-and-reduced meals. Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) has offered Summer Café for over 30 years as a […]

By Food, Research and Action Center, Excerpt The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a federal program that allows low-income schools to feed breakfast and lunch to all students free of charge. The program is designed to reduce the number of hungry students in class and reduce the burden of paperwork for many schools. Students that […]

By Food, Research and Action Center, excerpt We’ve all experienced that feeling during a late morning meeting where our thoughts wander to lunch plans. Whether we’re thinking about heating up our leftovers or excited for lunch with an old friend, it’s easy for our mind to wander when our body is focused on food. If […]