OKLAHOMA CITY – In a letter sent to the governor, attorney general and state auditor, State Superintendent Lindel Fields shared his concerns regarding OSDE’s extensive review of operations by the Feed the Kids program.
“I am writing to bring to your immediate attention a number of serious concerns regarding Feed the Kids, Inc., an Oklahoma-based company participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and specifically the portion of the CACFP that encompasses the ‘At-risk Afterschool Meal Program,’” Fields stated in his memo. “Recent information has come to light indicating what I believe to be systemic fraudulent and deceptive practices by this organization, and which undermine both the purpose of the program and the public’s confidence in its administration.”
The letter goes on to outline evidence suggesting Feed the Kids has engaged in fraudulent behavior, inflating both operating costs and reported meal numbers in order to secure excessive reimbursement from federal funds. Misrepresentations were made on the program application, and false declarations and pleadings were submitted in both federal and state courts.
Fields expressed his appreciation to the OSDE staff for their diligence in uncovering this matter. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also played a critical role in reviewing information and bringing this to light.
“As State Superintendent of Public Instruction, it is incumbent upon me to uphold public trust and ensure that the resources allocated for the welfare of Oklahoma’s children are managed with the utmost integrity,” Fields said. “It is my firm belief that Feed the Kids’ actions represent not only a misuse of public funds but also a betrayal of the vulnerable populations these programs are designed to serve.”
Fields concluded the letter with an appeal to the elected officials for a thorough and immediate investigation of the program’s operations.
