News & Press

Oklahoma City, OK - On Tuesday, October 7th, Democratic Representatives John Waldron, Annie Menz, and Ellen Pogemiller held an Interim Study on childhood hunger, its impacts, and to explore policy solutions. The representatives were joined by speakers from Hunger Free Oklahoma, Norman Public Schools, Seminole Public Schools, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, OU Health, Brigadier General Ben Robinson, and Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur. 

Oklahoma falls behind most of the nation on childhood food insecurity, and through studies like this, lawmakers can assess the real impact of these issues, and generate best strategies for legislation addressing them in the coming session. This bipartisan study approved by Republican Rep. Danny Williams and hosted by Democratic representatives Waldron, Menz, and Pogemiller is an example of what good government looks like- a group of legislators on both sides of the aisle working together to ensure our kids have the nutrients necessary to effectively learn.

Testimony from the study included the impact of childhood food insecurity on our military readiness. Brigadier General Ben Robinson shared that only 23% of our aged-to-serve population are eligible to enlist. The primary reason provided was that many of our young adults seeking to enlist are unhealthy, and behind cognitively and physically, as a result of food insecurity as children. When asked if food insecurity is a national security risk by Representative Annie Menz, the Brigadier General simply replied, “100%.”

“An Air Force General with over 30 years of service told us that childhood hunger is a national security threat, and I believe him. We need a full force military to defend our nation and 77% of American youth between the ages of 17 and 24 can’t pass the physical requirements for enlistment because of malnutrition. We have to take this seriously,” said Representative Annie Menz.

Representative John Waldron spoke on the study, stating, “School lunch and breakfast programs are a win-win. Feeding kids boosts health and nutrition, behavior, and test scores. Oklahoma is a farm state where no child should go hungry. I am glad Chairman Williams wants a bipartisan task force to produce ways to improve school nutrition.”

Democrats know that some solutions are readily available, such as accepting federal funding for summer meal programs, expanding free and reduced lunch and breakfast programs, and ensuring that our children have access to healthy breakfast and lunch options.

Thank you to the representatives who hosted this study, and thank you to those who spoke on this critical issue. Details from the Interim Study (25-055), including access to handouts provided, can be found using this link. A live recording of proceedings can be found here.