By: Richard L. Smith
New Jersey has been announced as one of the 35 states participating in the USDA's new Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program, which is set to begin this year.
This initiative, unveiled by New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Joe Atchison III, is designed to bolster food availability for children and families in need during the summer months.
Families eligible under the program will receive $120 per child to purchase food at grocery stores, farmers markets, or other authorized retailers, akin to the SNAP benefits system.
With the USDA estimating over 500,000 children in New Jersey eligible, the state is poised to distribute nearly $65 million in federal food security benefits.
Assistant Secretary Atchison emphasized the program's role in ensuring children and families have access to nutritious food when school lunch programs are unavailable.
The program's introduction is heralded as a crucial step towards addressing food security gaps within the state.
The Summer EBT initiative benefits from federal and state cost-sharing, with additional support from the New Jersey Food Security Initiative (NJFSI) through partnerships with the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
It represents a concerted effort by New Jersey's Departments of Agriculture, Human Services, and Education and key stakeholders to ensure comprehensive outreach and participation.
Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman and Acting Commissioner of Education Kevin Dehmer both lauded the program for its potential to provide essential nutrition to children throughout the summer, highlighting the state's commitment to health and food security.
Eligibility for the Summer EBT program will be determined through school districts participating in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, with a focus on students meeting income thresholds for federal free and reduced-price meals.
Information on eligibility and application procedures is available on New Jersey's Summer EBT website.
The national rollout of the Summer EBT program in 2024 is expected to serve close to 21 million children across states, U.S. territories, and tribes, distributing nearly $2.5 billion in grocery benefits.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack praised the collaborative efforts to launch the program, highlighting its potential to significantly reduce child hunger and improve diet quality during the summer months.