Last summer, Summer EBT provided summer nutrition to more than 700,000 children across the state of Tennessee during what is known as the hungriest season for kids. This year, Governor Lee and the state legislature have decided not to participate in the federally funded Summer EBT program and are, instead, proposing a state-based initiative.
Governor Lee’s proposal to allocate $3 million to a new Summer Food Service Program represents a scaled-back version of last year’s Summer EBT program, meaning fewer eligible children will benefit. In fact, this proposal would reach only 25,000 children—less than 4% of the impact Summer EBT had the previous year—while costing nearly the same. This version also only covers 15 counties across the state. There are 95 counties in the state of Tennessee.
Three of the 80 counties not covered by Governor Lee’s initiative have the highest rates of child food insecurity in the state: Hardeman County at 29%, Haywood County at 34%, and Lake County at 35%. Child hunger has been on the rise in all three counties in the last year.
These numbers represent children who face the risks of stunted growth, impaired cognitive development, increased susceptibility to illness, and long-term mental health challenges, as well as impacts on academic performance and social development. Last year, these children were eligible for assistance through Summer EBT, but this summer they will go without unless the Governor’s plan is expanded and receives significant additional funding.
A recent No Kid Hungry study found that a majority of Tennessee families who are eligible for benefits through Summer EBT are unable to meet their food needs. Nearly three-quarters (71%) often find themselves without enough money for food and nearly two-thirds (62%) struggle to provide their kids with enough nutritious food when school is out in the summer.
“I feel that it is bad that Tennessee has opted out of the Summer EBT program,” shared Denita T. Baxter, Director of Nutrition for Haywood County Schools. “We have many families whose children will suffer from not receiving this benefit. They rely on school meals to help nourish their children during the school year and many may go without during the summer. The S-EBT benefits helped to fill a void for many families in Haywood County.”
Nearly all (95%) Tennesseans believe that child hunger should not exist in the state. Therefore, it is essential that state leaders take action by including additional funding and expanding the state-based program to reach more children.
Tennessee’s children deserve the best possible start. Ensuring all the state’s children have access to adequate nutrition during the summer is a vital step toward achieving that goal.
