More than 2 million children at risk of hunger during the summer could benefit from this federal program
Florida faces criticism for its decision not to participate in the federal program Sun Bucks, designed to combat food insecurity during the summer months. This program, which provides approximately 120 dollars in food assistance per child for low-income families, could benefit more than 2.1 million children in the state, according to the Food Research and Action Center.
Although the program has already shown to reduce food insecurity by 30% and offer economic benefits to local communities, Florida opted not to apply for the funds for the second consecutive year. The decision has sparked rejection from leaders and nonprofit organizations, who point out that this refusal puts vulnerable families at risk, especially in counties like Orange, where more than 94,000 children are eligible for assistance.
«A third of the children in some parts of our state live in households where they don’t know when their next meal will come from,» highlighted Sky Beard, director of No Kid Hungry in Florida, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
Among the opponents of the program, some lawmakers have argued that this measure, originally created as relief during the pandemic, fosters dependency on social assistance and brings additional costs to the state. However, organizations like UnidosUS have rebutted these claims, emphasizing that the program is an opportunity for Florida to recover federal funds that could relieve the burden on families facing rising food and housing prices.
«It’s time for Florida to get back the tax money we pay to the federal government and allocate it to our families,» said Jared Nordlund, senior strategist at UnidosUS.
Despite the initial refusal, there is still an opportunity: the state has until February 15 to reverse its decision and submit an implementation plan to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Cindy Huddleston, senior analyst at the Florida Policy Institute, expressed her hope that Florida reconsiders, noting that the program would benefit both local economies and low-income children.
Meanwhile, more than 1,000 letters have been sent to state legislators by citizens demanding the state’s participation in the Sun Bucks program. With no concrete alternatives on the table to address food insecurity, the future of thousands of children and families in Florida depends on this crucial decision.