Overcoming Distribution Challenges: Iowa’s Summer EBT Program Aims to Feed Kids Effectively

Volunteers worked hard at a school in Ottumwa, packing food for 500 kids. They filled boxes with eggs, hot dogs, fruits, and canned meals, all provided by the Food Bank of Iowa for the state’s new summer food program.

Kathie Mason, the lead volunteer, hoped they would finish packing by one o’clock, just as families would start to arrive. Despite the rain, cars lined up outside as Mason and her team maneuvered carts through puddles, carefully placing bags of food in each vehicle based on the number of kids in the family.

Mason stepped up to run this food distribution site when no one else could. “We need to support the people in Wapello County,” she said.

Iowa is trying a new approach to tackle summer food insecurity among children. While many states started the federal Summer EBT program, Iowa launched its own, called Healthy Kids Iowa, providing healthy food monthly. However, food pantry leaders are questioning if this method will be sustainable in the future.

Wapello County, which has a high rate of child food insecurity, had only one location for families to access this program, open just once a month. Mason mentioned that although they reached 366 kids in June, this still leaves many unserved. “Every little bit we can get out is a win,” she said.

In July 2023, Healthy Kids Iowa served nearly 47,000 children, as reported by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. This number is significantly lower than the program’s goal of 65,000 children a month. Furthermore, it’s just a fraction compared to the estimated 240,000 kids who would receive assistance through the Summer EBT program.

Governor Kim Reynolds has been vocal about the need for these changes. “Too much food assistance has gone toward sweets and snacks, which doesn’t truly help low-income families. It’s hurting them,” she stated, citing rising obesity rates among both adults and children in Iowa. As of recent statistics, around 37% of adults and 17% of youth aged 6 through 17 in Iowa are grappling with obesity.

Food banks face numerous challenges in this program. They have had to redirect resources from their regular services to handle the distribution of food. Already pressed for space, many pantries struggled to find room for the influx of food. Some pantries, like the Independence Area Food Pantry, received an overwhelming amount but couldn’t give it away fast enough before it spoiled.

Nikki Habben from River Bend Food Bank noted that the time and cost involved in implementing Healthy Kids Iowa was greater than expected. “It placed a heavy burden on us, limiting the other valuable services we could provide,” she said.

Families often struggled with awareness about the program and faced difficulties accessing the limited distribution sites, which were often open only once a month. In some cases, families living outside the immediate area saw little to no benefit from the initiative.

However, participants still received more food than they could typically afford with a $40 EBT card. Angie Huisinga, a mother of two teenagers, found the assistance helpful. “It eases the burden on my budget,” she said. Despite some logistical issues, she felt the program had benefits similar to the EBT system.

With the program’s first year now concluded, Iowa HHS is eager to analyze feedback and improve the initiative. Alex Murphy, communications director for Iowa HHS, expressed a commitment to refining Healthy Kids Iowa. They plan to share survey results and insights with the USDA and look forward to new strategies for providing healthy food to families in need during the summer months.

Growing awareness and collaboration will be crucial as the state looks to make this program more effective for the children who rely on it most.

For more information on food programs and assistance for families, check out the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

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