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“We will not be deterred; we will continue to find common ground with the community to meet mutual goals of ending hunger, and we will continue to speak truth to power.”
– Chris Bernard, President/CEO
Dear Supporters and Partners,
2024 was a significant year for the movement to end hunger in Oklahoma. Our team worked with partners across the state to educate decision makers, implement new programs, and bring existing programs to a larger scale.
For example, our collective work on SNAP participation resulted in huge success; 98% of eligible Oklahomans accessed SNAP in 2022, a 10% increase since 2017 according to the latest USDA report. Throughout this report there are so many things that inspire me: the collaborative work of Oklahoma Tribes to bring Summer EBT to so many children (Tribal and non-Tribal citizens), the continued impact of our Double Up Oklahoma program, or the amazing day of learning at our Hungry for Action Conference.
At Hunger Free Oklahoma (HFO) we believe in celebrating statewide anti-hunger communities’ collective wins and allowing the space to appreciate the impacts made. We also know there is more work to do and 2025 will see changes that will have significant impacts on the programs we seek to expand, the partners we support, and our friends and neighbors that face food insecurity on any given day. We will not be deterred. We will continue finding common ground with the community to meet mutual goals of ending hunger, and we will continue to speak truth to power. We are grateful for your partnership, your support, and your efforts.
In gratitude,
Chris Bernard
President/CEO
Hunger Free Oklahoma
Highlights
98%
of eligible Oklahomans accessed SNAP in 2022, a 10 percentage point increase since 2017 according to USDA’s 2025 report on SNAP Participation
1,000,000+
additional summer meals served from 2023 to 2024, extending the growth trend since 2017
40,000+
Oklahomans participated in Double Up Oklahoma 4th qtr. 2024, increasing fruit and vegetable purchases more than 100% at participating stores
23%
more attendees joined the Hungry for Action Conference in 2024, increasing from 306 in 2023 to 376
Child Nutrition
We are dedicated to ensuring that all Oklahoma children have access to the nutritious meals they need to thrive, both during the school year and over the summer.
This significant increase continues the growth trend we’ve seen since 2017. Our 2024 summer meals regional convenings and the strong partnerships that resulted, along with the non-congregate qualification expansion, were key to this success.
Click here for more information on summer meals.
Total afterschool meals served (September 2023 – April 2024) increased over previous year with 3.1M CACFP suppers, 647K CACFP snacks, and 1.2M NSLP snacks served.
Click here to view our 2024 Afterschool Meals Report.
Total school breakfasts served (September 2023 – April 2024) through the school breakfast program comes out to over 25.8M meals.
Click here to view our latest School Breakfast Report.
Community
Engagement
We believe in the power of community-led solutions to address food insecurity. Our community engagement initiatives focus on empowering individuals and organizations to create lasting change.
SNAP In Schools
Our SNAP in Schools program aims to increase awareness of SNAP benefits and their positive impact on students.
SNAP in Schools Toolkit:
We developed a comprehensive toolkit to equip school partners with engaging resources to promote SNAP awareness. The toolkit can be found here and includes:
Posters
Flyers
Text Templates
Email Templates
Web Buttons
SNAP in Schools Webinar:
We hosted a virtual webinar to educate school workers about SNAP benefits and strategies for promoting the program. The webinar is available online here, along with a few others.
LEARN (Lived Experience and Resource Network)
“Through the LEARN Workshop, I’ve learned that food insecurity is a big deal here in Oklahoma and the many ways I can advocate for change.”
Amandah Treastor
Youth Action Council
The Youth Action Council (YAC), a partnership between Tulsa Changemakers and Hunger Free Oklahoma, empowers high school youth to lead projects that improve school meals. Through a one-year leadership program, youth work alongside young adult mentors, gaining decision-making experience and practicing leadership skills. HFO supports their participation by providing transportation and meals, fostering a collaborative, youth-driven environment.
2024 was the third year for YAC. Tulsa-area high schoolers worked on anti-hunger projects with Hunger Free Oklahoma staff and participated in Anti-Hunger Day at the Capitol, where they expressed their concerns and perspectives on school meals for all. Legislators were receptive to their points of view, hearing that young people can’t thrive in school, nor in life, without a good meal and start to their school day.
“The YAC experience has been a valuable learning opportunity, allowing me to gain knowledge and professional growth. The two-year experience has allowed me to develop ideas, plans, and take action after learning the history of why I’m advocating and the change I want to make.”
– Kianle Frazier
Double Up
Oklahoma
Double Up Oklahoma (DUO) matches the value (up to $20 per day) of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps) dollars spent at participating farmers markets and grocery stores.
DUO currently operates in 32 Oklahoma counties.
In 2024, Hunger Free Oklahoma launched DUO in five new farmers markets and 25 new grocery stores. As of April 2025, DUO is operating in 32 Oklahoma counties, 29 farmers markets, 39 grocery stores, and seven mobile markets. Click here for more information.
Impact:
As of the end of 2024, we had distributed almost $11M in DUO incentives since beginning in 2019.
Over 40,000 Oklahomans participated in DUO the last quarter of 2024, increasing fruit and vegetable purchases by over 100% at participating stores.
Food and
Health
We recognize the critical link between food and health and are committed to promoting nutrition security across Oklahoma.
We created a new staff position dedicated to Food and Health initiatives. This position will focus on Food Is Medicine programs and developing a statewide blueprint for nutrition and food security.
We launched the Nutrition Security Task Force in collaboration with the Oklahoma State Department of Health. This task force will establish a blueprint for a food and nutrition security state plan. The task force has over 100 members.
We are now a collaborating organization with the Bloomberg American Health Initiative, opening up national networking and grant opportunities to support “Food Systems for Health” projects.
The Food Systems for Health focus area of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative will explore the many ways food systems impact health and equity — from food insecurity and diet quality to the sustainability of food production and distribution. By partnering with communities and organizations, the Initiative aims to improve nutrition, enhance food security, and reduce food-related illness and mortality, fostering more just, equitable, and sustainable food systems.
Hungry for
Action
As Oklahoma’s only statewide conference focused on hunger, our goal is to bring together diverse communities from across the state to learn and, most importantly, take action.
376 attendees
23% increase over 2023
156 organizations
and 33 OK counties represented
Tribal leaders
shared powerful messages of collaboration
SNAP
We provide crucial support to individuals and families navigating the SNAP application process.
SNAP Participation
98% of eligible Oklahomans accessed SNAP in 2022, a 10 percentage point increase since 2017 according to USDA’s 2025 report on SNAP Participation.
Outbound Calls
In 2024, our SNAP Hotline successfully completed 790 outbound call requests. These calls provided assistance with applications, answered questions about benefits, and addressed barriers to access.
SNAP Partners
The number of organizations offering SNAP assistance grew to 430 organizations in 2024. These organizations are working to connect Oklahomans to SNAP application assistance and improved food security.
SNAP Applications
A total of 9,025 SNAP applications were submitted by the SNAP Hotline and our partners in 2024.
98%
of eligible Oklahomans used SNAP
791
SNAP Hotline outbound call requests
430
SNAP partners
9,025
SNAP applications submitted
Policy and
Advocacy
We advocate for policies that support food security and improve the lives of Oklahomans.
Partner Visit to DC
In November 2024, we organized a trip to Washington, D.C., for organizational leaders to advocate for food security policies, such as the Farm Bill, with Members of Congress. Federal policies like the Farm Bill play a crucial role in food security here in Oklahoma.
Thank you to the valuable partners that participated in this effort with Hunger Free Oklahoma: Broken Arrow Neighbors, Community Market and Food and Resource Center of Pottawatomie County, Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, Food on the Move, Iron Gate, LIFE Senior Services, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, and RG Foods.
We collaborated with lawmakers to craft and introduce the Thrive Act, SB 1363, which would require the state to provide a meal cost reimbursement to schools with a high percentage of students on free or reduced-price meals waivers and directed the Department of Education to report on the results.
Our efforts to implement the Medicaid Direct Certification Pilot resulted in a more than 200% increase in Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school participation in Oklahoma.
A total of nine anti-hunger bills were introduced in the 2024 legislative session by both parties. Four bills improved access to child nutrition programs and five improved access to food and/or benefits programs.
Summer EBT
We partnered with Oklahoma Tribes to launch Summer EBT within the Muscogee Reservation
Through collaboration with Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Cherokee Nation, and Chickasaw Nation, we supported 92,356 children in the Muscogee Reservation with $11 million in benefits. As part of this effort, 59,000 Summer EBT cards were issued in 2024.
$1M in 48 hours
raised to support Summer EBT in Muscogee (Creek) Nation
$11M in benefits
issued to over 92,000 Oklahoma children
Looking Ahead
In the coming year, we’re focused on expanding access to SNAP, Summer EBT, and WIC, and deepening our policy and advocacy work at the state and federal levels. We are also looking forward to building stronger community connections through LEARN and educational initiatives. Together, we’re creating a healthier, more food-secure Oklahoma.
Reach out!
Do you have questions or would like to discuss how your organization or community can become involved? Let us know by completing this short form and we’ll get back to you.
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