2019 ASHS Annual Conference

Oklahoma ranks in the top 10 states for hunger and related challenges. A Hunger and Horticulture workshop was offered by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service on May 22, 2018. The event focused on hunger and related issues in Oklahoma and also with consideration for the entire U.S. Topics included, but were not limited to, specific populations and their struggle with hunger, overfed and undernourished individuals, regional food banks, hunger relief gardening, increasing access to healthy foods, and food deserts. Horticulturists, professionals from allied disciplines (such as dietitians), and policy decision makers were invited to lecture. Workshop chairs foresaw a need for a better understanding of Oklahoma’s current plight with hunger, so a hunger survey was administered to attendees at the beginning of the event. Participants demonstrated varying levels of awareness and opinions regarding hunger in Oklahoma.