Q: Last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) started a program to assist families with the cost of extra groceries during the summer when kids are not in school.
However, Florida, along with 12 other states like Georgia and Alabama, decided not to join this program in its first year. The Florida Department of Children and Families expressed concerns about the federal requirements tied to such programs.
As a result, Florida has chosen not to participate in the SUN Bucks program for the upcoming summer.
Readers Marc V. and Cathy B. wanted to understand the state’s decision better. They asked about the specific “federal strings” and what the state plans to do instead.
The Department of Children and Families did not respond to requests for comments. However, officials mentioned that Florida has existing programs to feed children in need.
SUN Bucks is an extension of the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program, commonly known as food stamps. It helps low-income families cover grocery costs, especially during the summer months when free meals for kids aren’t available.
Last summer, this program provided $120 per child to families in need across 36 participating states. Many Southeast states, however, opted out.
Participating states like North Carolina saw success, helping 1.1 million children. Tennessee joined in 2024 but decided against it this year due to the costs involved, calling the program unnecessary.
North Carolina plans to participate again this summer after reporting a $130 million boost in benefits last year, which exceeded their expectations. Jerquitta Hicks-Smallwood, a director of food and nutrition services in North Carolina, stated they received positive feedback from families and partners alike, deeming SUN Bucks a success.
Florida officials have similarly voiced concerns about the program’s costs. States must cover 50% of the administrative costs. In North Carolina, this amounted to about $3.75 million. Additionally, they need to report their data to the federal government, though Hicks-Smallwood noted that the process is quite efficient.
Instead of SUN Bucks, Florida is focusing on its own programs to help families, including SNAP and free lunch programs for students. In Northeast Florida, many families qualify for these programs. For instance, in a family of four, an income of just $40,560 qualifies for free or reduced lunches.
In Duval County, over half of elementary school students (53%) were eligible for such assistance in 2024. Other nearby counties also showed significant eligibility rates: 52% in Clay County, 47% in Nassau County, and 22% in St. Johns County.
In a recent discussion, Florida Senate President Ben Albritton indicated he’s collaborating with Agricultural Commissioner Wilton Simpson to explore state-based solutions for food insecurity among children. He also mentioned plans to talk with the DeSantis administration about possibly joining the federal program in the future.
Check out this related article: How Bird Flu Impacts Your Food: What You Need to Know – UConn Today
Source link