food system

Every summer, thousands of children across Oklahoma lose access to the school meals they depend on. But every year, communities across the state step up to meet that need. Schools, tribes, nonprofits, and local leaders come together with one shared mission: ensuring no child goes hungry when school is out.

At Hunger Free Oklahoma, we are proud to support and connect with this work—helping partners share resources, strengthen relationships, and build systems that make summer meals more accessible for families across the state.

“A hungry kid cannot learn, but a well-supported student, with quality meal service and quality instruction, will thrive. In Elk City, Oklahoma, we have the numbers to prove it!”

That conviction from Superintendent Mike Sparks sits at the heart of the transformation underway at Elk City Public Schools. Superintendent Sparks, recently named the 2025 OASA District 12 Superintendent of the Year, attributes the district’s academic progress to a powerful combination: strengthened child nutrition programs paired with data-driven instruction.

Most of the work of getting produce into grocery stores, restaurants, and homes is done by immigrants. Immigrants are the foundation of the U.S. agriculture system, not only as workers but also as consumers. Yet many are left vulnerable to exploitation, poverty, and food insecurity despite everything they contribute to our agricultural system and economy.