Today, the state of Iowa announced that it is submitting a waiver request to the USDA to operate a summer feeding demonstration project in lieu of participating in Summer EBT, also known as SUN Bucks, in 2025.
“The Iowa Hunger Coalition would like to extend our gratitude to Governor Kim Reynolds, Department of Health and Human Services Director Kelly Garcia, and Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow for listening and responding to Iowans,” said IHC board chair Luke Elzinga. “While this was not exactly the decision we had hoped for, we appreciate the state’s recognition of the high level of need in our communities right now, and we are eager to learn more about the state’s proposed approach.”
The proposed program would offer three monthly boxes with healthy foods at distribution sites during the summer months, and would also incorporate food box delivery options for families with transportation challenges. The state of Iowa estimates the demonstration project could reach 300,000 children facing food insecurity across the state. Children at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL) could qualify. Current income eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Iowa is 160% FPL, and free and reduced price school meals have an income eligibility of 185% FPL, which is also the eligibility for Summer EBT.
“While we appreciate the state’s willingness to explore alternative options, we remain steadfast in our belief that using Summer EBT to provide grocery benefits directly to families to purchase food at their local grocery store is the best decision Iowa could make,” said IHC board vice chair Nicole McAlexander. “The research is clear: when parents have more money available to purchase food, it empowers them to make more nutritious choices for their family. Providing additional funds directly to families would allow them to make the food choices that best fit their children’s cultural, religious, and other dietary needs.”
A summary report of Summer EBT demonstration projects found that the program increases consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy, and does not increase consumption of sugar sweetened beverages. A separate 2021 USDA study found that the number one reported barrier to accessing nutritious food by SNAP participants was the high cost.
“It is not yet clear to us whether USDA even has the authority to grant the waiver requested by the state of Iowa,” said Elzinga. “What the state is proposing is not a small tweak to the Summer EBT program, it’s something entirely different. But something is better than nothing, especially when Iowa is facing a crisis of hunger and food insecurity.”
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services’ State Health Improvement Plan has a targeted goal of reducing food insecurity in Iowa to 5.1% by 2027. According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study, the rate of food insecurity in Iowa in 2022 was 10.8%.
“Summer EBT has been shown to reduce childhood food insecurity by 5-8 percentage points during the summer, and could be a vital tool in addressing food insecurity in Iowa,” said IHC board member Anneke Mundel. “We hope that today’s decision will help the state meet its goals to reduce food insecurity.”
The SUN Bucks program would provide $120 in nutritional benefits to every child who qualifies for free or reduced price school meals in the state. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service estimates that this would support 93,000 children who already have access to SNAP benefits, and an additional 148,000 children who do not currently receive SNAP benefits.
“Today’s decision should be seen as a positive step in the right direction, and we hope it will lay a path toward a future permanent program,” said IHC board member Sheila Hansen. “We remain fully committed to achieving Summer EBT in Iowa and will continue to advocate for the program with our elected officials. IHC will also continue to support investment in the Double Up Food Bucks program to incentivize the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables for SNAP participants, and advocate for raising the income eligibility for SNAP in Iowa to 200% FPL.”
The Iowa Hunger Coalition would like to thank all the nonprofit organizations, faith communities, civic groups, and individuals who advocated for Summer EBT.
“Every single person who wrote a letter, sent an email, made a phone call, signed a petition, or simply spread awareness of this issue should take pride in moving the state to action,” said Elzinga. “Solving hunger and food insecurity is not a simple task, and it will take all of us working together—government, nonprofits, and the business community—to achieve the vision of a hunger-free Iowa.”
Thank God the governor did something about the food needs of Iowa’s chldren. Too bad she waited so long and had to be dragged to her final action