13 States Say No: Governors Block Funding for Crucial Summer Food Program

Many children are expected to face hunger this summer as some states are turning down federal food aid. This includes a new program called SUN Bucks, which provides grocery benefits for kids when school is out. More than 40% of summer meal participants are young children aged 5 to 8.

This summer, thirteen states led by Republican governors have opted out of the SUN Bucks program. In Indiana, for example, last year, 669,000 children benefited from it. Tennessee declined $70 million in federal funds, choosing instead to propose a smaller state-funded program that will only reach about 4% of the children served last year. In Montana, nearly $20 million in federal funds was also rejected, with lawmakers arguing it’s too similar to other programs.

Rachel Sabella, director of No Kid Hungry New York, pointed out that summer often brings increased hunger for families. The SUN Bucks program, in particular, helps families buy food more easily during these months.

In cities like Oakland, summer meal programs are facing serious cuts. Clarissa Doutherd, a parent advocate there, was shocked when she learned that Oakland’s summer food program would be canceled. Thousands of children in the city, who rely on school meals, could go without food this summer.

Anne Arundel County in Maryland will offer fewer summer meal locations, impacting many students who receive free or reduced-price lunches during the school year. Santa Barbara, California, canceled its summer meal program due to budget cuts, while programs in Dayton, Ohio, are already reaching their limits much earlier than usual.

Across the nation, 1 in 5 children don’t have enough food daily. Elementary-age kids are among the most affected, and food insecurity can lead to long-term problems, such as lower test scores and social difficulties. Studies show that only 15 out of 100 children who qualify for free or reduced meals actually access summer food programs, highlighting the need for change.

Doutherd remarked that cutting summer meals is a shortsighted decision, especially as Congress considers cuts to other food assistance programs. Some federal funding for local food supply to schools has already been cut, leading to shortages at food banks. Changes proposed by Congress could affect 2 million children’s food benefits this year, which may include impacts on summer meal eligibility.

Luckily, community organizations and school districts are stepping in to address the growing need. In New York, Sabella is hopeful but warns of challenges ahead if federal cuts go through. “If these proposals pass, hunger will rise in every community,” she said.

Fortunately, private donors recently helped restore Oakland’s summer food program. Doutherd believes families deserve better and warns about the future costs of neglecting children’s needs today.

Addressing child hunger requires joined-up efforts from communities, state governments, and federal policies. With the impact of these summer food programs at stake, the focus must shift to ensuring that every child has access to meals when they need them most.

For more information about summer food programs, visit the [USDA Summer Food Service Program](https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sunbucks).

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Health and nutrition,Newsletter,poverty