Texas is one of 15 states opting out of federal funding for the USDA summer lunches program.
This year 35 states will participate in a $2.5 billion federal nutrition program offering free school meals during the summer.
According to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, when the USDA notified HHSC officials of their new Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT program on Dec. 29, that gave the nation’s second largest state only six months to get it up and running, it was not enough time.
Even though the summer program would involve the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Department of Agriculture – HHSC would have to bear the brunt of the work because they would have to coordinate and direct the distribution of the preloaded cards to qualifying families.
HHSC is already covered up administratively with the unwinding of Medicaid coverage during the pandemic after the federal government lifted continuous coverage and forcing those who do qualify to refile. HHSC stated that launching a new program would be impossible at this time.
Additionally, the new federal program would only cost 50% of the administrative expenses for Summer EBT, leaving the state to make up the difference.
Though not as comprehensive as Summer EBT, families with children still have options for food assistance during the summer. Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said that “kids aren’t going to get fed any less” on account of the TDA’s expansion of their Summer Meals Program. Children 18 and under are eligible to receive a free meal at their meal sites across the state.