Summer EBT program vital to children’s well-being

By Rhea Williams-Bishop

Childhood hunger is a persistent issue that has profound consequences on a child's health, development, behavior and overall quality of life.

During the pandemic, families received much needed relief through the Child Care Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), extending support into the summer with a single payment of $120 per child. That was a lifeline for 186,000 children who rely on school meals as a primary source of nutrition.

We are urging Louisiana to do that same this year. States have until Feb. 15 to submit plans to the USDA on accepting and administering a monthly distribution to families; we at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) stand ready to support this effort and ensure the allocation is done equitably.

For more than 90 years, WKKF has been committed to children thriving and we recognize the critical importance nutrition plays in a child’s health and overall development. When children are food secure, they perform better academically, have better health throughout their lifetime, and have better life outcomes.

In 2023, Louisiana made school breakfast and lunch free for students who qualified for the reduced lunch program, recognizing the impact nutrition has on a child’s academic success and overall well-being.

The summer EBT program provides essential support to families when school meals are unavailable. It can work with other nutrition programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and can be used to enhance Louisiana’s Greaux the Good program, increasing access to locally grown food while supporting our farmers.

No child should go hungry. We can do good for our children and do well by local farmers. We urge our leaders to extend EBT support into the summer to ensure all Louisiana children can thrive.