Hunger Free Oklahoma Blog

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.

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.

by Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy and Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist Welcome to November’s edition of Capitol Insider. Frankly, we’re not sure where to begin; the policy environment over this past month has been ever-changing and highly volatile. As we approach the holiday season, we hope you’re […]

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.