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Georgia declines federal summer food program for low-income kids [1]

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Date: 2024-01-08

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Gov. Brian Kemp’s office said Monday the state would not be participating in a summer federal food assistance program for children.

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children (Summer EBT) is a federally funded, state-administered program, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It reimburses program operators who serve no-cost meals and snacks to children and teens.

Meals are served at summer sites in low-income communities.

“This federal covid-era EBT program not only lacks basic nutritional requirements and sustainability but fails to address the mission of improving the health and wellness of our children,” said Kemp spokesman Garrison Douglas.

“Therefore, along with our neighboring states, Georgia opted not to participate in the proposed EBT program and instead remains focused on well-established and effective programs that are tailored to address our state’s specific needs by providing necessary nutrition and engagement to families and kids.”

Kemp’s office touted the success of the state’s Seamless Summer program, administered by the state’s Department of Education:

Seamless Summer provided 2,569,326 breakfasts and 3,221,428 lunches in 2023, with the majority of districts participating.

53 districts served meals under the non-congregate meal option for counties with “rural” designations,” allowing families to pick up five breakfasts and five lunches per child each week, without the requirement to consume the meal onsite.

Happy Helpings, Georgia’s Summer Food Service Program, reimburses organizations that serve free healthy meals and snacks to children and teens in low-income areas when school is not in session. Children 18 and younger receive free meals and snacks through Happy Helpings. Meals and Snacks are also available to persons with disabilities over age 18, who participate in school programs for people who are mentally or physically disabled.

In summer 2023, 2.8 million meals were served through Happy Helpings at 997 feeding sites across the state. Meals are served in communities across the state and are located in a variety of settings, including schools, parks, community centers, apartment complexes, and churches.

To further increase the availability of free meals and snacks to children, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning offered state-funded start up grants in 2022 and 2023 to organizations willing to establish feeding sites in unserved areas of the state.

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Copyright 2024 WANF. All rights reserved.

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[1] Url: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2024/01/08/georgia-declines-federal-summer-food-program-low-income-kids/

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