WIC

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.

Oklahoma has taken a significant step toward integrating nutrition into healthcare with the passage of Senate Bill 806, known as the Food is Medicine Act. This legislation recognizes the critical role that access to nutritious food plays in preventing and managing chronic diseases, particularly for those enrolled in Medicaid.

There are many misconceptions and stigmas surrounding public assistance and federal nutrition programs, often perpetuated by the media and politicians, as well as by everyday people. My parents, hardworking and staunchly independent, made sacrifices to ensure our family’s basic needs were met, a privilege for which I am grateful.

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.