EBT

Hunger Free Oklahoma President/CEO Chris Bernard released a statement in response to Governor Stitt’s Executive Order 2025-13 which, in part, seeks to limit SNAP purchases:

Today, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced in an executive order that he had the Oklahoma Department of Human Services pursue federal approval to restrict the purchase of soda and candy with SNAP benefits as part of a larger set of directives to address Oklahomans’ health. While we all share the important goal of improving health outcomes for Oklahomans, this approach is misaligned with both the data and the broader needs of our communities.

As Congress engages in critical budget resolution discussions, we urge lawmakers to safeguard essential safety net programs that serve as lifelines for hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans. Proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, and other vital services threaten not only the well-being of vulnerable populations, but also Oklahoma’s economic stability and health.

As Congress engages in critical budget resolution discussions, we urge lawmakers to safeguard essential safety net programs that serve as lifelines for hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans. Proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, and other vital services threaten not only the well-being of vulnerable populations, but also Oklahoma’s economic stability and health.

by Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy, and Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist The temperatures are creeping up and legislative deadlines creep up on us as well, welcome back to our March edition of Capitol insider. We have updates on committee deadlines, floor deadlines, and which bills are still […]

As Congress engages in critical budget resolution discussions, we urge lawmakers to safeguard essential safety net programs that serve as lifelines for hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans. Proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, and other vital services threaten not only the well-being of vulnerable populations, but also Oklahoma’s economic stability and health.

by Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy, and Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist State Updates Anti-Hunger Day at the Capitol Join Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, Hunger Free Oklahoma, and Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma for our 2025 Anti-Hunger Day at the Capitol March 27. Gather with food security […]

by Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy, and Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist State Updates: January 16, 2025, was the filing deadline for bills to be heard during the 2025 Oklahoma Legislative Session.  As of January 17, 2025, there have been over 3,000 bills filed for the 2025 legislative […]

by Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy, and Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist State Updates: Season’s greetings from the Policy Team at Hunger Free Oklahoma! The year is winding down, but advocates are warming up to get ready for another state legislative session. Coming off the November elections, there […]

by Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist Welcome to November’s hefty edition of Capitol Insider. We bring you a bounty of election updates at the state and federal levels, and things to keep an eye on in the food policy realm. The next few months will be filled with lots of changes and […]

SNAP theft and fraud are on the rise. Learn how to protect your SNAP funds and report theft below.

SNAP theft and fraud are on the rise. Learn how to protect your SNAP funds and report theft below.

In recent days, we’ve been navigating a flurry of developments regarding the Summer EBT program and its future in our state. Here’s a quick overview of where things stand:

In response to recent statements made by Governor Stitt’s office regarding the 2025 Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program, it is crucial to correct several inaccuracies and highlight the benefits of this federal initiative in addressing child hunger and food insecurity.

On June 5, a team representing Hunger Free Oklahoma (HFO), the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma went to Washington, D.C. where they discussed the upcoming Farm Bill with our Oklahoma delegation. For several, it was their first time to make Congressional visits. Here is a glimpse into some of their experiences, proving that anyone passionate about these issues can engage with their elected officials.

The Muscogee Nation is partnering with the Chickasaw Nation, the Cherokee Nation, Hunger Free Oklahoma, and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to introduce the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (Summer EBT) to the Muscogee Nation Reservation. Summer EBT provides additional nutritional support to eligible children during the summer months when they do not have access to school meals.

As summer approaches, households with school-age children can find themselves in a tough position. Without school to supplement some of their kids’ nutrition needs throughout the day, grocery budgets get stretched and what a family can afford may be limited.