How the End of the Summer EBT Program Could Impact Tennessee Families’ Access to Essential Food Support

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A valuable program that fed hundreds of thousands of children in Tennessee during the summer is in danger of ending. Governor Bill Lee has hinted he won’t renew it.

Senator Jeff Yarbro is voicing his concerns about this decision. He believes the Summer EBT program is crucial for many children who rely on it for meals when school is out.

“For some reason, the governor and the state are turning down food for 700,000 children. This is something we all should be concerned about,” Yarbro said.

The U.S. Agriculture Department manages the Summer EBT program, which helped nearly 21 million kids nationwide this past summer. It provides families with $40 each month for every eligible child. This adds up to $120 on electronic benefit cards, allowing low-income families to buy groceries during the summer break.

Originally introduced as a temporary solution during the pandemic, this program is federally funded, but states must choose to participate. Some states have opted out, citing costs and existing food programs that they believe cover basic needs sufficiently.

However, Senator Yarbro argues that we cannot depend solely on food banks to fill the gaps.

“Food banks across Tennessee are struggling with higher demand and less support. Other states are doing more to help their food banks, making it essential for us as citizens to step in and assist those in need,” he explained.

Tennessee was part of the Summer EBT program for just one year, in the summer of 2024. For next summer, Tennessee is among about a dozen states looking at potentially declining over $1.14 billion in federal funding to help feed 9.5 million children.

The Food Research & Action Center, an organization dedicated to fighting hunger, is calling on Governor Lee to rethink his decision. They emphasize the importance of this support for children.

“If we’re not going to fund help for Tennessee’s children ourselves, then we need to ensure that charitable efforts are coordinated to fill that gap. It’s hard to see a good reason for this choice,” they said.

According to the Food Research & Action Center, the Summer EBT program not only helps families but also boosts the state’s economy. They estimate an economic impact of $115 million to over $139 million from these benefits in the summer of 2025.

“Families often struggle to balance bills and groceries by the end of the month. This program offers a little extra help with no cost to Tennessee,” they added.

The deadline for opting back into the program was Saturday, but it seems that opportunity has already passed.