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Are 1 in 5 Oklahoma children food insecure?

By Sue Bin Park
YES

According to the nonprofit Feeding America, in 2020, 19.2% of children in Oklahoma were classified as food insecure. Among these, 73% were eligible for federal nutrition assistance programs.

Food insecurity is defined as the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Oklahoma's rate of child food insecurity is higher than the national average of 16.1%.

The state is also 1 of 6 states with significantly higher general household food insecurity than the U.S. average. Hunger Free Oklahoma estimates that 33% of the state’s population lives in areas with limited access to nutritious food.

Various factors influence food insecurity, including unemployment and poverty. In the U.S., Black, Latino, rural, and Southern households all experience statistically higher rates of food insecurity than average.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Oklahoma Watch is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) corporation that produces in-depth and investigative journalism as a public service for the benefit of all Oklahomans. Through investigative, fact-driven journalism, we dig deep and examine significant issues facing our state. Our work engages all Oklahomans, amplifies the discussion of important issues and leads to change. We help develop the journalists and journalism of the future.
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