Hunger Free Oklahoma Blog

by Jessica Dietrich, Policy and Government Relations Manager Oklahoma has some of the poorest health indicators in the nation, ranking 45th overall according to the United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings 2020 report. The same report ranks Oklahoma 49th in fruit and vegetable consumption and 46th in household food security. There is a significant body […]

by Jessica Dietrich, Policy & Government Relations Manager Pandemic EBT Update Oklahomans are continuing to receive P-EBT benefits from the 2020-2021 school year. The Oklahoma State Department of Education Parent P-EBT review form is now open at this link. Parents should complete this form if they: Have not yet received their P-EBT card Need to […]

by Jessica Dietrich, Policy & Government Relations Manager School Year 2020-2021 Pandemic EBT Update Last week the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Education, began issuing P-EBT benefits from the 2020-2021 school year. These benefits provide critical relief to Oklahoma families working to stretch their grocery budget while […]

As the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, Hunger Free Oklahoma (HFO) is one of 52 organizations selected to receive funding through a critical $2.5 million investment from MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. The national anti-hunger organization’s partnership grants will help stem the tide in persistent food insecurity that was exacerbated by pandemic-related shutdowns.

by Candace Pape-Macedo, Senior Manager of SNAP Programs No Kid Hungry and Hunger Free Oklahoma are partnering to expand the Oklahoma SNAP in Schools project. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) allows eligible individuals and families to stretch their grocery budgets each month. Despite its proven ability to improve household food security, SNAP is underutilized […]

by Jessica Dietrich, Policy & Government Relations Manager USDA updates the Thrifty Food Plan, the basis for SNAP benefits Last week, the USDA made the first significant updates to the Thrifty Food Plan since 1975. The update, originally directed through the 2018 Farm Bill, takes effect October 2021. The Thrifty Food Plan, which serves as […]

by Candace Pape-Macedo, Senior Manager of SNAP Programs Food insecurity isn’t always easy to spot, but we see its impacts all around us. An inability to consistently meet basic nutritional needs impacts child development1, academic achievement2, workforce performance3, military recruitment and service (national defense)4, family stability and adverse childhood experiences5, individual resilience6, dental health7, emotional8 […]

The USDA announced that Hunger Free Oklahoma was 1 of 35 recipients nationally to be awarded a Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program COVID-19 Relief and Response (GusCRR) grant of $650,000 to continuing the DUO program at farmers markets and grocery stores and allowing expansion to high-need areas across the state for the next year.

Hunger Free Oklahoma applauds the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), USDA Secretary Vilsack, and President Biden for implementing the directives of the 2018 Farm Bill by re-evaluating the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) based on current data and economics. The update to the TFP leads to a more than 25 percent increase in benefit amounts for Oklahoma SNAP participants, a long overdue increase needed to more accurately reflect the costs incurred by low income families trying to meet their nutritional needs.

by Jessica Dietrich, Policy & Government Relations Manager Though the Oklahoma State Legislature has adjourned their regular session, there is still ongoing work for our elected officials. State Representatives and State Senators recently submitted their requests for interim studies. Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat approved 71 interim study requests and House Speaker Charles McCall will […]