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FACT BRIEF

Are 1 in 5 Oklahoma children food insecure?

By Sue Bin Park
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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.
Sources
Feeding America Food Insecurity among the Child Population in Oklahoma
USDA Economic Research Service Food Security Status of U.S. Households in 2022 - Key Statistics and Graphics
Hunger Free Oklahoma Hunger in Oklahoma
Feeding America Food Insecurity Report Briefs - Map the Meal Gap 2024
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Oklahoma Watch
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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About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.