The initiative aims to replace the Summer EBT program and improve food access in marginalized communities
The governor of Tennessee, Bill Lee, will announce in the coming days a proposal for a new summer food assistance program, according to his office this Thursday. The initiative arises following the expiration of the Summer EBT program at the end of 2024 and aims to improve food access for children and marginalized families in the state.
The governor’s office explained that the Summer EBT program was implemented during the pandemic to supplement other food assistance systems in an extraordinary situation, but that currently, it is largely a duplication of existing resources. Now, Lee believes that Tennessee is in a better position to design its own strategy to ensure child nutrition during school recess months.
«In the coming days, we will present a proposal to invest more in direct summer food assistance through a new program that will more effectively reach marginalized families in Tennessee and manage taxpayer dollars responsibly,» Lee’s office stated in a press release.
Food assistance programs in Tennessee
While the new proposal is being developed, the state of Tennessee has several active food assistance programs:
- Summer Food Service Program (SFSP): It has been recently expanded to include non-congregate meal sites in rural areas. In 2024, 1,350 meal sites were approved across the state, serving approximately 3.4 million meals to children.
- Seamless Summer Feeding Option: Administered by the Department of Education, it allows School Food Authorities (SFAs) to provide free meals in low-income areas during the summer or school breaks of more than ten days.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Provides essential support to more than 300,000 children and their families across the state, ensuring access to basic food.
With the new proposal on the way, Lee’s administration seeks to optimize the use of state and federal resources to ensure children’s summer nutrition without relying on previous programs that no longer have federal support.