OKLAHOMA CITY – Tuesday, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, conducted an interim study on childhood hunger in Oklahoma and its impacts.

Officials from Hunger Free Oklahoma, Norman Public Schools, Seminole Public Schools, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, OU Health, and Mission: Readiness, as well as the Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture presented during the study.

The study revealed many findings about the state of childhood hunger in Oklahoma and explored potential solutions.

It showed that 64% of Oklahoma families qualify for free/reduced lunches and that one in four children in Oklahoma are food insecure. Oklahoma ranks 46th in the nation for food insecurity.

The study also found that food insecurity in teens has a negative impact on their mental health, which increases the risk of suicide and other mental health struggles.

“Food insecurity has lasting health costs for our state,” said Pogemiller. “When we expand access to SNAP, school meals, and summer feeding, we invest in healthier kids and stronger communities.”

Oklahoma is not alone in its battle against childhood hunger. According to the study, 77% of America's youth can't meet the physical qualifications for military service, making childhood malnutrition a national security threat.

“Investing in solutions to childhood hunger isn’t just feeding children, it’s fueling the future,” said Menz. “Every meal given today nourishes a mind, strengthens a community, and builds a more prosperous society for us all.” 

The study showed there are efforts in place to combat this, such as Oklahoma farmers supplementing feeding programs in the state. The Oklahoma Department of Ag's "Local Food 4 Schools" program also helps keep food quality high for feeding programs.

The study explored that a large portion of schools in the state are eligible to leverage federal funding to expand their free lunch programs, but they are not doing it because they would still have to pay for part of it and they can't afford it. 

One solution offered during the study was the formation of a task force with the goal of providing great quality meals in schools with no costs to families. 

“School’s lunch and breakfast programs are a win-win,” said Waldron. “Feeding kids boosts health and nutrition, behavior and test scores. Oklahoma is a farm state where no child should go hungry. I’m glad the Chairman wants a bipartisan task force to produce ways to improve school nutrition.”

You can view the entire study on the Oklahoma House of Representatives website.

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