Previously EGG-NEWS has commented on the need for universal school feeding especially for children from disadvantaged homes. Permanent funding through the Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2023 (the “Omnibus Bill”) has now been allocated for summer meals for children through an EBT program.  It is estimated that the funding will benefit 30 million children nationwide.  The initiative was championed by Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Sen. Stabenow has announced her retirement from the Senate in 2024.

Sen. Stabenow stated, “We know too often children who are able to get healthy meals in school go hungry during the summer.  This investment is a critical step to ending childhood hunger.”

Sen. Stabenow expressed gratitude to Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) in extending school feeding.

The program will provide $40 per month per eligible child through a permanent EBT program and also provides for alternative meal delivery in rural areas including grab-and-go, mobile delivery and other modalities.

Since the inception of supplementary feeding programs during the COVID period, there was a sharp increase in SNAP fraud involving misappropriation of EBT theft using electronic devices. Victims of fraud relating to school feeding will continue to receive benefits. Suppression of SNAP fraud will be addressed in the 2023 Farm Bill.