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 […]
Read more »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.
Read more »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 […]
Read more »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 […]
Read more »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 […]
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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 […]
Read more »On December 9, 2016, Hunger Free Oklahoma (HFO) submitted a letter to the State Department of Education regarding their request for comment on the Oklahoma draft State Plan for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The Every Student Succeeds Act was signed into law in 2015 with bipartisan support in congress. It requires every state […]
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