The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the launch of a new summer meals program, set to benefit millions of students across the country. However, not all states have chosen to participate in the initiative.The program, revealed earlier this week, aims to combat hunger during the summer months. Families will receive $120 per eligible student – $40 a month – in the form of pre-loaded cards to purchase groceries.According to the USDA, the Summer EBT program will assist nearly 21 million students in 35 states, with the toolset to launch later this year.Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack expressed optimism about the program’s potential impact. “Seventy-percent of the youngsters who are eligible will be participating in 2024 – and that’s a very, very strong and positive start to this effort,” Vilsack said.However, not all states have signed up for the program. The reasons for non-participation vary, with some states relying on alternative strategies to feed students during the summer. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen argued that his state’s programs are superior to the Summer EBT initiative. “That’s another form of welfare. I just simply disagree and it’s not doing our kids any good. We’re going to take care of our kids in our communities, in our summer schools,” Pillen said.Vilsack countered this argument, stating, “That’s just not accurate for a state to suggest that they have a successful program when one out of six youngsters who are currently free and reduced lunch, and only one out of six, participate in the summer feeding programs.”Other states have raised concerns about the Summer EBT program’s nutritional standards. Vilsack responded to these criticisms, stating, “The facts are that youngsters who participate in Summer EBT programs, whether it was a demonstration program or the pandemic program, in fact, had more nutritious meal offerings.”When asked about the sustainability of making pandemic-era strategies permanent, Vilsack said, “Congress provided the funding for the program, it’s in the base budget of this of the Department of Agriculture, it absolutely is sustainable. This is, again, a smokescreen by governors.”Vilsack also noted that Congress requires states to cover half of the administrative costs of the program. Some states cited funding and logistical barriers as reasons for not participating this year.However, the USDA has stated that states will have another opportunity to launch the program for summer 2025.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the launch of a new summer meals program, set to benefit millions of students across the country. However, not all states have chosen to participate in the initiative.
The program, revealed earlier this week, aims to combat hunger during the summer months. Families will receive $120 per eligible student – $40 a month – in the form of pre-loaded cards to purchase groceries.
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According to the USDA, the Summer EBT program will assist nearly 21 million students in 35 states, with the toolset to launch later this year.
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack expressed optimism about the program’s potential impact.
“Seventy-percent of the youngsters who are eligible will be participating in 2024 – and that’s a very, very strong and positive start to this effort,” Vilsack said.
However, not all states have signed up for the program. The reasons for non-participation vary, with some states relying on alternative strategies to feed students during the summer.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen argued that his state’s programs are superior to the Summer EBT initiative.
“That’s another form of welfare. I just simply disagree and it’s not doing our kids any good. We’re going to take care of our kids in our communities, in our summer schools,” Pillen said.
Vilsack countered this argument, stating, “That’s just not accurate for a state to suggest that they have a successful program when one out of six youngsters who are currently free and reduced lunch, and only one out of six, participate in the summer feeding programs.”
Other states have raised concerns about the Summer EBT program’s nutritional standards. Vilsack responded to these criticisms, stating, “The facts are that youngsters who participate in Summer EBT programs, whether it was a demonstration program or the pandemic program, in fact, had more nutritious meal offerings.”
When asked about the sustainability of making pandemic-era strategies permanent, Vilsack said, “Congress provided the funding for the program, it’s in the base budget of this of the Department of Agriculture, it absolutely is sustainable. This is, again, a smokescreen by governors.”
Vilsack also noted that Congress requires states to cover half of the administrative costs of the program. Some states cited funding and logistical barriers as reasons for not participating this year.
However, the USDA has stated that states will have another opportunity to launch the program for summer 2025.
