In Oklahoma, more than 15% of the households are food insecure. Comparatively, the national household food insecurity rate is at 13.5%. Among the many definitions of food insecurity, common themes include having an inconsistent and/or inadequate access to the nutritious and safe food that is necessary to meet one’s health needs, for financial or other reasons.The physical, cognitive, emotional, and chronic implications of food insecurity alter the lives of children, adults, and elderly indiscriminately.
As food insecurity continues to become a wider issue in the country, more and more research and programs are being developed to identify strategies to increase food accessibility. Many strategies include evaluating the current food system and redistributing surplus food that would otherwise be thrown away. Other practices highlight the need for nutrition and food-security education to bring awareness to and support those who are experiencing food insecurity. While health-related industries have been contributing to the cause for decades, non-traditional partners are just as, if not more, vital in promoting food security. Oklahomans interact with the education system or religious congregations on a daily basis, so these sectors, among many more, have the greatest potential to create a difference.
A society can only thrive when its people are able to contribute at their full potential. Food insecurity is a detriment to all. For Oklahoma to thrive, everyone, both within and beyond the health industry, must forge alliances to ensure that no one has to wake up unsure of how they are going to feed themselves and their loved ones.
In 2020, it was reported that 61.2% of Oklahomans were “adherents to a religious congregation.” In a Pew Research survey, nearly half reported attending religious services on a weekly basis.
Religions share the mission of helping others in need and spreading kindness. It is of no surprise that identifying as part of a faith-based community is a protective factor for health. Faith-based communities foster social connectedness and cohesion, psychological well-being, and a sense of purpose to those who participate.These unique attributes place religious communities in a position of great potential in promoting health and food security in their congregations. By being a connector between individuals and families in need and community resources, faith-based communities can play an invaluable role in helping the people of Oklahoma.
A healthy ministry is a committee of diverse community members that is integrated into a congregation’s leadership with the purpose of providing support, education, and resources that promote health and wellness for congregation goers. Ministry members are volunteers within the congregation with the drive to help their community. Services can include hosting cooking classes, assisting with SNAP or WIC applications, and much more. A health ministry can host events to bring awareness to food insecurity, or invite community professionals to provide free services such as health screenings. Here are a few ideas on what a health ministry can do:
- Coordinate health fairs (e.g. blood pressure, blood sugar)
- Host nutrition education classes
- Offer cooking lessons
- Plan a youth trip to the local farmers market
- Fundraise for local food pantries
- Support local food recovery efforts
- Plant a community garden
- Integrate food insecurity awareness efforts into sermons
- Connect members to daytime childcare services
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Volunteer work is essential to meeting the high-volume goals of many nonprofit organizations, such as food banks. Starting a volunteer initiative within a congregation is an amazing way to bring communities together for a noble cause, while learning more about existing resources. Here are some ways congregational groups can volunteer to support local food security efforts:
- Food pantries and banks
- Homeless SheltersExtension Agencies
- Community Gardens
- Disaster-relief efforts
- Host food drives
- Host free dinners for local college students
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Certified Healthy Oklahoma is a free and voluntary certification that showcases congregations that are committed to supporting healthy choices through environmental and policy change. Congregations that become certified receive recognition and are invited to a virtual event to celebrate going above and beyond to prioritize their community’s health and connections to resources.
Applications for Certified Healthy Oklahoma (CHO) open annually on August 1st. When applying, congregations will be asked to complete an assessment that asks about criteria within eight separate categories, including tobacco prevention, health education, and nutrition. Based on the congregation’s assessment score, they can be awarded with either a Basic, Merit, or Excellence Certified Healthy Congregation award.
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According to the Spring 2024 National College Health Assessment conducted by the American College Health Association, nearly half of all college students experienced some level of food insecurity during the semester. Less than 20% of surveyors reported eating three or more servings of fruit, and less than 30% reported eating three or more servings of vegetables daily in the last seven days.
College students form a large subgroup of the United States’ young adult population. Attending college introduces unique challenges, such as financially providing for tuition, meals, housing, and other expenses, all while balancing academic and extracurricular commitments. Universities– including administration, faculty, and fellow peers– can support students and the broader community struggling with food insecurity, simultaneously promoting high academic performance and community well-being.
In the United States, an estimated 30% to 40% of food produced is never consumed, equating to roughly 145 billion meals each year. A significant portion of this food, including surplus meals from restaurants and food service establishments, is discarded due to concerns over liability. However, in Oklahoma, multiple laws offer civil and criminal protection for food donors, including university dining halls, restaurants, and cafeterias, that donate their leftover food to individuals in need. As long as the food meets quality standards for consumption, donors are protected from liability in the event of harm or injury related to the donation.
On the federal level, the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, originally passed in 1996 and later incorporated into the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, provides civil and criminal liability protections for organizations that directly donate food and grocery products in “good faith” to nonprofit organizations. The federal law was established to create uniform protections for food donors, addressing inconsistencies across state, local, and private regulations. Under this law, donors are protected from liability if any of the donated food results in injury or harm, except in the case of gross negligence and intentional misconduct. In 2022, the bill was amended to formally recognize institutions of higher education and school food authorities as eligible food donors.
Oklahoma House Bill 1542, which took effect in November 2023, provides liability protections similar to those under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act. This state law specifically mentions restaurants and public school cafeterias as protected entities, encouraging food donation by reducing concerns of civil and criminal liability as long as the donated food meets established quality and safety standards for consumption.
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Food recovery, also known as food rescue, is an important strategy in reducing food waste. Unlike traditional food donation, food recovery focuses on collecting and redistributing surplus food that would otherwise be discarded. These efforts often involve partnerships with local restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores to recover excess food and deliver it to donation sites. Many universities have food recovery programs where student volunteers work to collect and donate surplus food from campus dining facilities to organizations dedicated to addressing food insecurity.
The Food Recovery Network is one of the leading food recovery programs in the United States. The organization provides resources, including toolkits, to help navigate the legal aspects of food recovery, such as the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act. Students interested can start a food recovery chapter at their universities, collaborating with local restaurants, dining halls, and food pantries to recover and redistribute surplus food. Starting a chapter with the Food Recovery Network involves forming a team of student volunteers, securing a staff advisor, and completing an application. Additional steps may vary by institution based on student organization registration policies.
Food pantries all across the nation play a vital role in providing essential food items to individuals and families in need. In universities, these services have become increasingly important, with many adopting models to empower clients by offering choice in their selections. Stigma can sometimes discourage individuals from utilizing food pantry services due to feelings of shame or embarrassment. To address this, university-based food pantries are working on not only increasing accessibility to their services, but also promoting a culture of acceptance and normalizing the use of these essential resources.
Many resources and organizations are dedicated to establishing and supporting campus food pantries. One such organization is Swipe Out Hunger, whose mission is to eliminate food insecurity and hunger on college campuses. Their website offers a variety of toolkits designed to assist developing food pantries in managing budgets, expanding capacity, and addressing other essential needs.
Additional Resources:
- Running a Food Pantry - Student Government Toolkit
- Client Choice Course Workbook - Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
- Campus Food Pantries: Insights From a 2023 Survey - Swipe Out Hunger
- Nutrition in Food Banking Toolkit - Feeding America
A Basic Needs Syllabus Statement is a helpful addition to university or course syllabi, directing students to information and resources available to support those facing food insecurity. The statement provides an overview of on-campus and community resources, such as food pantries, campus health centers, local grocery stores, university financial advisors, and more. Faculty can include this statement individually, or it may be adopted as part of the university’s standardized syllabus. Swipe Out Hunger’s Basic Needs Syllabus Statement Guide offers additional resources and guidance, including sample statements and tips for creating one.
Incorporating a Basic Needs Syllabus Statement is a straightforward process, yet its impact can be significant in demonstrating to students that their institution prioritizes their well-being. The Hope Center at Temple University highlights anecdotes showing how this simple addition has positively affected both students and faculty, fostering a supportive campus environment.
Oklahoma faces one of the highest rates of child food insecurity in the nation, with one in every four children affected. Poverty, a key driver of food insecurity, often leads to children experiencing hunger and inconsistent meal patterns. Access to wholesome and nutritious food is especially critical during childhood as it supports the development of physical, cognitive, and social abilities.
Research has shown that food insecurity can negatively impact children’s academic performance, including lower math and reading scores, and increased rates of absenteeism. Additionally, it can lead to stress, behavioral issues, and impaired social functioning. For many children facing food insecurity, school provides one of the few constants in their lives. This highlights the important role K-12 schools can play in addressing child food insecurity. By implementing supportive policies and collaborating with local food security networks, schools can support the well-being of children and their communities.
Within the nation-wide public school system, food waste measures up to around 40 pounds per student per year, according to a study by the Food Waste Warrior program. Economically, this waste equates to an estimated $1.7 billion each school year. Establishing donation partnerships with local food pantries or soup kitchens offers a solution that benefits both schools and community– helping to reduce cafeteria food waste while providing essential meals to those in need. Oklahoma law provides civil and criminal protection for food donors, including school cafeterias, that donate leftover food in good faith. As long as the food meets safety and quality standards, donors are protected from liability in the event of harm or injury resulting from the donation.
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Schools can contribute to food recovery efforts by offering the unused food items accumulated each day from cafeterias to children to take home. The USDA recommends several strategies to do this, including the implementation of “share tables” where surplus food can be redistributed during lunchtime. Schools can also raise awareness about the impacts of food waste by posting informative infographics for students, faculty, and administration, highlighting strategies to minimize waste.
To assist schools in launching food recovery programs, K-12 Food + Rescue has created a comprehensive guide, including tools containing strategies for gaining support and tracking progress throughout the process.
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Nutrition information is gotten through various parts of life, including family, social, academics, the internet, and social media. This can cause confusion, as much of this information can be inaccurate. Students make decisions regarding food every day, so having a strong understanding of nutrition is essential to build healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
Education is a key driver of health with the ability to improve future health behaviors and reduce socioeconomic disparities. Nutrition education has been shown to improve attitudes and understanding of nutrition among primary school students. In addition, nutrition education also impacts the recipient’s skills in managing resources in order to attain healthy foods. Teachers play a vital role in delivering this education and impacting students’ mindsets regarding healthier eating. While many barriers exist that make it difficult for teachers to incorporate nutrition education into their lessons, many resources also exist to make the process more feasible, including the following:
- Let’s Eat Healthy’s K-12 Curriculum provides feasible resources to bring the conversation of food and nutrition into the classroom. Let’s Eat Healthy is an evidence-based program that has been shown to improve students’ confidence in understanding food groups, planning and preparing balanced meals and snacks, reading nutrition facts labels, and more.
- Nutrition education can be integrated into conservation, science, and mathematics curriculum to bring awareness of nation- and school-wide food waste. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is an organization that promotes the conservation and sustainability of natural resources, including food. WWF’s Food Waste Warrior program is a curriculum aimed at increasing student-wide awareness of school food waste. Each lesson is tailored to different grade levels, including K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. The curriculum toolkits include activities, essay prompts, slideshows, food audit activities, and more.
Additional Resources:
- CDC Healthy Eating Learning Opportunities and Nutrition Education
- Alliance for a Healthier Generation Nutrition Education Resources
USDA Resources:
To reduce food waste in schools and ensure more food reaches those in need, it is essential to identify which food items are most often left uneaten and discarded. Conducting a food waste audit is an effective, data-driven method for achieving this. Students can actively participate in the data collection process, gaining invaluable insights into food insecurity and waste firsthand. The USDA offers a Guide to Conducting Student Food Waste Audits, providing schools with resources for planning, training, and conducting food waste audits. This guide highlights additional strategies to minimize food waste, such as creating “share tables”, scheduling recess before lunch, and adopting an “offer vs. serve” policy in cafeteria services.
The data collected through food waste audits can significantly enhance the current understanding of food waste in school cafeterias, both locally and nationwide. For example, the Food Waste Warriors’ food waste audit program has leveraged food waste audits as an educational and awareness opportunity for students in 46 schools around the country. The data collected from this project estimated that U.S. schools generate 530,000 tons of food waste and 45 million gallons of milk waste each year.
