Iowa seeks federal food aid waiver for pilot summer meal program

DES MOINES, Iowa ( Iowa Capital Dispatch ) — The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services submitted a waiver request for participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s summer food assistance program to implement a separate summer feeding project, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reports .

Advocates focused on addressing food insecurity have repeatedly called for Iowa to join the USDA Summer EBT program, a $2.5 billion initiative that provides eligible low-income families — those at or below 185% of the federal poverty line — with $120 per child each month through an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card when school is not in session. The money can be used at stores participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Iowa, alongside 12 other states with Republican governors, have opted out of the program , with Gov. Kim Reynolds citing the requirement for states to cover half of the administration costs and the lack of requirements for purchasing nutritious food as reasons for not joining the program.

Reynolds said in a news release Thursday that Iowa HHS and the state Department of Education are proposing a summer feeding demonstration project separate from summer EBT, that she said was “better suited for our state’s specific needs and capabilities.”

“Last year, I invested $900,000 to expand two other USDA summer feeding programs operated by the Iowa Department of Education that provide healthy, balanced meals and snacks for school-age children statewide,” Reynolds said in a statement. “Our plan for 2025 builds upon that concept to promote food security and better health for more Iowa children.”

Reynolds said the proposed Iowa plan would feed nearly 60,000 more children at a lower cost than the federal program while promoting healthier eating.

According to the news release, the state’s demonstration project would expand eligibility for existing summer feeding programs to 200% of the federal poverty line, an annual household income of $62,400 or less for a family of four. The proposed program would provide three monthly boxes with healthy foods at distribution sites during the summer months, an initiative the state estimates would serve 300,000 food-insecure children — more than the 244,000 estimated to be served through Summer EBT.

The demonstration program would also include food delivery options for families who are not able to travel to the distribution sites, according to the release.

Kelly Garcia, the director of Iowa HHS, said in a statement that the state’s proposal would help feed children when school is not in session while also promoting better eating habits.

“The complex issues of food insecurity and obesity cannot be solved with cash benefits that don’t actively promote health, nutrition-dense food, or reach all Iowa children in need,” Garcia said. “In Iowa, our focus is on the comprehensive well-being of this generation of young Iowans. Our solutions to promote healthy behaviors and well-balanced, nutritious diets for children must be comprehensive and holistic.”

While Reynolds and members of her cabinet have criticized the Summer EBT program, advocates and Democrats have argued that the state is leaving federal funding on the table that could go to feeding children by choosing not to participate.

The Iowa Hunger Coalition delivered a petition with more than 3,500 signatures to Reynolds earlier in August calling for the state to opt in for Summer EBT in 2025. Luke Elzinga, the IHC board chair, said that the coalition was grateful to Reynolds, Garcia and McKenzie Snow, the director of the state education department, for “listening and responding to Iowans in making this decision.”

“While it’s not exactly what we hoped for, we do appreciate this state’s recognition of the high level of need in our communities right now, and we are eager to hear more about the state’s proposed approach,” Elzinga said.

He said that the coalition appreciates the state’s willingness to explore alternatives, but that “we also remain steadfast in our belief that using summer EBT to provide grocery benefits directly to families is the best decision for Iowa.”

Rep. Sami Scheetz, D-Cedar Rapids, thanked Iowans for contacting the governor about participation in Summer EBT. While House Democrats “strongly disagree” with Reynolds’ decision not to participate in the federal program, he said the minority party “will try to work with the Governor to make sure no kid goes hungry.”

“It’s not complicated: drop the politics and feed hungry kids,” Scheetz said in a statement.

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Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and Twitter .

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This story was republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

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