State’s lack of decision threatens a federal program to fight childhood hunger
Texas could be missing a crucial opportunity to combat food insecurity for thousands of families by failing to guarantee its participation in the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program. This federal program would provide more than $17.8 million to the counties of Hays, Williamson, and Travis, with the goal of offering $120 per eligible child for food purchases during the school holidays.
The state missed the deadline of January 1 to notify the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) of its intention to participate, creating uncertainty about its implementation in 2025. However, the USDA has assured that there is still time for Texas to join the program. «We are working with the state agencies individually to ensure they have the resources and time they need to implement Summer EBT», explained a USDA spokesperson.
A crucial program at stake
The Summer EBT, authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, is designed to help families with school-aged children cope with the months without school meal services. In total, the program is expected to generate $450 million in benefits across Texas in just three months, according to Celia Cole, executive director of Feeding Texas.
Cole emphasized that, although the state would have to invest millions in managing the program, the administrative costs would be minimal compared to the positive impact. «This is a program that could have a really significant impact», she stated. Feeding Texas, which operates 20 food banks across the state, has urged authorities not to repeat the decision of last year, when Texas was one of the 13 states that did not participate.
Lack of state action
So far, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has not confirmed if it plans to implement the program. In an official statement, the agency reported that it will work with the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), and the Legislature to address the issue, but it has not made a concrete decision yet.
Program advocates, such as No Kid Hungry Texas, have also made urgent calls to lawmakers to prioritize the fight against food insecurity. According to Stacie Sanchez Hare, director of the organization, the program would represent a «game changer» for vulnerable families facing the tough choice between paying for nutritious food or covering other essential expenses. «We are working hard with our partners to advocate for the implementation of this program in the summer of 2025 and beyond», she stated.
Support in the legislature
Some state lawmakers have shown interest in securing the necessary funds to launch the program. Armando Walle, a Democratic representative from Houston, has led initiatives to strengthen food assistance in Texas, including a law passed in 2023 that expanded access to free school breakfasts.
Walle highlighted that the success of the program will depend on the commitment of state leadership. «There is still the possibility that Texas could launch this program, use federal resources, and get food to the school children who need it most.» «It’s just a matter of the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the House leading and showing clear support,» he expressed in a statement.
Additionally, he warned about the serious consequences of inaction: “If we miss our opportunity this year, we will have lost over 3 million Texas children who could have been fed and wasted nearly $500 million in federal funds.»
Growing pressure and critical deadlines
The HHSC would need legislative funding confirmation before March to implement the Summer EBT, adding urgency to the discussion in the 89th state legislature, which began this week. Meanwhile, Feeding Texas and other organizations continue pressing lawmakers to take concrete action.
The governor and lieutenant governor have not yet issued statements on their stance, leaving open the question of whether Texas will seize this opportunity to effectively combat childhood hunger.