Statewide report finds measurable health benefits for participants while calling for sustainable funding to expand access across Oklahoma.
4/1/26 – Tulsa, OK: Hunger Free Oklahoma has released the 2026 Oklahoma Food is Medicine Landscape Analysis, a new report examining the current state of Food is Medicine (FIM) programs across the state. Funded by the Morningcrest Healthcare Foundation, the analysis identifies existing programs, provides an overview of their unique designs, and outlines opportunities to strengthen and expand Food is Medicine initiatives across Oklahoma.
Food is Medicine programs integrate nutritious food and nutrition education with healthcare partnerships to prevent and manage diet-related chronic diseases. In January 2025, Hunger Free Oklahoma launched the landscape analysis to better understand current efforts, identify gaps in access, and inform future growth of these programs statewide.
The report identified 14 Food is Medicine programs operating in Oklahoma, with 12 programs participating in the analysis. While many programs serve urban and suburban communities, access remains uneven in rural areas, highlighting the need for expanded infrastructure and partnerships.
“Food is Medicine programs are demonstrating that access to nutritious food can be a powerful healthcare intervention,” said Lauran Larson, senior manager of food and health at Hunger Free Oklahoma.
The project, directed and managed by Hunger Free Oklahoma, brought together partners across community organizations, healthcare providers and other local stakeholders. The analysis found that each program operates with a unique design tailored to its community, but all combine food access with nutrition education to support participants’ health outcomes.
“Morningcrest Healthcare Foundation is proud to support this important work,” said Carlisha Bradley, Executive Director of the Morningcrest Healthcare Foundation. “This analysis highlights both the promise of Food is Medicine programs and the opportunity to build stronger systems that improve health outcomes while expanding access to nutritious food across Oklahoma.”
Programs participating in the analysis report measurable health improvements, including:
- Reduced A1C levels
- Weight loss
- Lower blood pressure
- Increased food security
- Improved nutrition knowledge
- Stronger engagement between patients and healthcare providers
However, the report also identifies key challenges. Most programs rely heavily on short-term or competitive grant funding, limiting their ability to scale and sustain services over time.
The report recommends developing sustainable funding pathways, including Medicaid reimbursement, insurance partnerships, philanthropy, and grant funding.
The analysis also notes that the passage of Oklahoma’s 2025 Food is Medicine Act (SB806) represents a major step toward long-term program sustainability. Developing Medicaid coverage pathways for Food is Medicine services could significantly expand access to these programs for Oklahomans managing diet-related chronic conditions.
“Hunger Free Oklahoma believes Food is Medicine programs can play a vital role in improving health and reducing food insecurity,” Larson said. “With continued investment, coordination and sustainable funding strategies, Oklahoma has an opportunity to expand these programs and improve health outcomes for communities across the state.”
The full 2026 Oklahoma Food is Medicine Landscape Analysis is available here.
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Hunger Free Oklahoma is an anti-hunger organization dedicated to improving food access for all Oklahomans. HFO leverages the power of collaboration to solve hunger in Oklahoma by improving systems, policies, and practices. Learn more at HungerFreeOK.org.
Morningcrest Healthcare Foundation is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of children, women, and indigent communities. A Tulsa-based philanthropic foundation that has invested over $100 million in community health, Morningcrest advances its mission through strategic grantmaking that strengthens the organizations supporting Tulsa’s medically underserved.