Kim Reynolds seeks waiver from Summer EBT food program, says state can serve more kids

Iowa is seeking a waiver to opt out of a federal program to provide grocery money to low-income kids next summer and instead use the money to provide boxes of food that could be picked up at participating organizations around the state.

Gov. Kim Reynolds' announcement Thursday comes after she drew widespread criticism for not participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer EBT program this summer, which would have provided about $29 million to Iowa families in the form of electronic benefits transfer cards that could be used to buy groceries.

Instead, Reynolds opted to set up a separate competitive grant program that allocated $900,000 to local groups that provide summer meals to kids. That funding resulted in 61 new meal sites for a total of more than 500 sites around Iowa, the state said.

If Iowa receives a waiver from the program for next summer, the state could receive the full amount of federal funds that would otherwise go to the Summer EBT, or SUN Bucks , program, and instead use it to provide monthly boxes of food for eligible kids at pickup sites at existing locations like food banks, nonprofits, churches and community centers around the state. The state would also offer "food box delivery options for families with transportation issues."

"Together with Iowa HHS and the Department of Education, the state is proposing a summer feeding demonstration project better suited for our state’s specific needs and capabilities," Reynolds said in a news release. "Iowa’s plan is projected to feed nearly 60,000 more children at a lower cost than the SUN Bucks cash benefit, while utilizing existing infrastructure and promoting healthier options."

Reynolds said Iowa hopes to expand eligibility for its summer meal sites to 200% of the federal poverty level, or about $62,000 for a family of four. The state estimates that would make 300,000 food-insecure children eligible for food through the program.

The Summer EBT program would have provided the families of about 245,000 Iowa kids with pre-loaded EBT cards worth $40 per month for each eligible child.

The state's proposal would seek to use bulk purchasing power to buy food at wholesale rates that are cheaper than what families would pay in a grocery store, state officials said.

Luke Elzinga, chair of the Iowa Hunger Coalition, said he supports Reynolds' decision to seek the federal funds and her recognition of the high level of food insecurity in Iowa.

"We appreciate the state’s willingness to explore these alternative options," Elzinga said. "But we also remain steadfast in our belief that using Summer EBT to provide grocery benefits directly to families is the best decision for Iowa."

Michelle Book, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Iowa, said she was surprised by Thursday's proposal.

"We’re interested, obviously interested in any project that would provide more food and better nutrition for Iowa kids and their families," she said, adding that there are a lot of unknowns about how Iowa's proposal would work.

Can Iowa get a waiver from the US Department of Agriculture to switch Summer EBT funds to another use?

Leaders at anti-hunger organizations said they're not sure whether Iowa will be successful in receiving a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"It’s not clear to us whether or not USDA even has the authority to grant the waiver that the state of Iowa is requesting," Elzinga said. "What the state is proposing is not a small tweak to the program. It’s something entirely different. But something’s better than nothing, especially when Iowa’s facing such a crisis of hunger and food insecurity right now."

Book said she's not aware of another state that has submitted a waiver request that's similar to Iowa's.

"Whether the USDA would approve a waiver, I have no idea," she said. "I’d say it’s maybe a 50/50 shot."

Kelly Garcia, director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, wrote in a letter Thursday to U.S. Department of Agriculture officials that Iowa's proposal aligns with the program's goals of addressing summer food insecurity.

"We believe this request exemplifies the intent of the waiver process — allowing states the flexibility to do what they do best to serve their people with support from federal partners," she wrote.

Reynolds cites Iowa's obesity statistics, arguing Iowa's proposal would provide healthier alternative

In turning down the program for 2024, Reynolds said "an EBT card does nothing to promote nutrition at a time when childhood obesity has become an epidemic." That comment received criticism from anti-hunger groups.

The state's news release Thursday again cited obesity statistics to argue that Iowa's approach would provide a healthier alternative to EBT cards, saying Iowa ranks 18th in the nation for childhood obesity and that 37% of Iowa adults are obese.

"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 a statement. "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."

Book said families are doing the best they can to eat healthy on a limited budget.

"If you’re trying to feed a family on a tight budget, they are forced to put more foods in their shopping cart that are carb rich and calorie dense because they’ve got to feed their family," she said. "So I do believe parents can make the right choice for their families, but it’s almost impossible with a limited budget."

Elzinga said he's shared research with the governor's office demonstrating that EBT programs have been shown to increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy without increasing consumption of sugary drinks.

"I think the evidence is clear that when you provide families with more benefits, they are able to make healthier choices," he said.

Democrats, anti-hunger groups have called for months for Iowa to accept Summer EBT funds

Anti-hunger groups and Democratic elected officials have called on Reynolds for months to sign up for Summer EBT next year.

Earlier this month, Iowans dropped off a petition with more than 3,500 signatures calling on Reynolds to participate in the 2025 Summer EBT program.

"We’ve had so many different Iowans, individuals and organizations across the state, reaching out to the governor’s office about this because we are facing a crisis of food insecurity in the state right now," Elzinga said. "I don’t think that’s an exaggeration. We have food banks and pantries breaking records across the state, including in July."

State Rep. Sami Scheetz, D-Cedar Rapids, said Iowa's decision to forgo federal Summer EBT funds this summer is "a tragic situation that cannot happen again." He thanked Iowans who called on Reynolds to accept the funds for next year.

"While we strongly disagree with the governor’s decision to yet again reject federal funding to feed 245,000 Iowa kids next summer, we will try to work with the governor to make sure no kid goes hungry," Scheetz said in a statement. "It’s not complicated: drop the politics and feed hungry kids."

Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines, criticized Reynolds for asking the federal government to fund a new proposal rather than going through the existing Summer EBT system and said the plan raises more questions than it answers.

"I’ve been a part of local efforts to distribute meals and food boxes — it’s very complex," she said in a statement. "It is a huge undertaking, requiring so many staff, volunteers, vehicles and sites. It is more cost-effective to mail EBT cards worth $120 for Iowa families to spend at their local grocery stores."

Speaking to reporters Wednesday at the Iowa State Fair Pork Tent, state Auditor Rob Sand called on Iowa to apply for the funding.

"I cannot imagine why we wouldn’t want kids to be fed," he said. "This is just such a simple decision. This is Iowa getting its fair share."

Sand said the money for the Summer EBT program would boost the Iowa economy in addition to feeding kids.

"We are impoverishing the state of Iowa by not taking our fair share," he said. "It’s not just food we’re taking out of the mouths of kids, that’s also money that would go to people at farmer’s markets, it would go to Fareway, it would go to Hy-Vee. That’s just less money in the state of Iowa. It doesn’t make any sense to me."

Read Iowa's letter to USDA requesting a waiver from the 2025 Summer EBT program

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller .

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Kim Reynolds seeks waiver from Summer EBT food program, says state can serve more kids