TULSA, Okla. (September 28, 2022) – Hunger Free Oklahoma (HFO) was one of 23 organizations highlighted at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health today for specific commitments related to improved food access and affordability (Pillar 1 of 5). Other organizations recognized in the first pillar include Google, Chobani and DoorDash. A total of 63 organizations made commitments across the five pillars.
HFO’s commitment, which is pasted in full below can also be found on the White House website here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/09/28/fact-sheet-the-biden-harris-administration-announces-more-than-8-billion-in-new-commitments-as-part-of-call-to-action-for-white-house-conference-on-hunger-nutrition-and-health/
Hunger Free Oklahoma response & interview availability
The following quote can be attributed to Chris Bernard, executive director for Hunger Free Oklahoma.
“I would first like to thank the White House for coordinating the first national conference on hunger in the past 50 years. It is an honor to participate with leading organizations, agencies and governments who are working to fill the gaps in their communities. Secondly, it is an honor for our team to be recognized for our commitments and efforts in the state of Oklahoma. We know that with the right programs, improved systems, collaborative partnerships and strengthened policies we can end food insecurity and increase access to affordable nutritious food for all Oklahomans. We look forward to working with our partners across the state to make these long-term commitments a reality.”
Chris is participating at the conference today but is available for Zoom or phone interviews after 4:30 p.m. CST. To request an interview please contact Melissa Marshall.
Hunger Free Oklahoma’s Commitment | View all commitments at WhiteHouse.gov: link
Nonprofit organization Hunger Free Oklahoma commits to increase access to fresh produce by expanding its SNAP incentive program from 19 to all 77 counties by 2030. This expanded program will serve 10 times the number of SNAP households it does now, reaching 100,000 SNAP households total per month at full scale. Hunger Free Oklahoma will also collaborate with Tribal Nations, state government, and the private sector to develop a new coordinated WIC outreach and enrollment effort, with a commitment to increase WIC participation to 80 percent across the state – for a total of 125,000 women, infants, and children served.
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About Hunger Free Oklahoma | HungerFreeOK.org
Hunger Free Oklahoma works to leverage the power of collaboration to solve hunger in Oklahoma by improving systems, policies, and practices. The organization is involved in policy-making, coordinates the state’s Double Up Oklahoma program, provides a SNAP application hotline, supports free summer meal sites and more. HFO collaborates with local, regional, state and Federal governments, as well as with private donors and businesses to reduce food insecurity in the state.